Included among other provisions were those regulating the emissions from all new motor vehicles imported into or ex. With 62 percent less pollution, americans are living healthier, longer lives. Clean air act definition, examples, cases, processes. Clean air act caa of 1970 a federal act regulating the emission of harmful pollutants into the air. This act gives the epa the authority to regulate how much pollutants can enter the air in any state in the us congressional.
The first legislation involving air pollution was enacted in 1955, and authorized funds for air pollution research. The amendments in 1970 were an entirely rewritten version of the original clean air act. What are some pros and cons for the clean air act of 1970. The 1970 clean air act amendments were a watershed that paved the way for the widespread consensus in our country today that air pollution control must be a top priority of the federal government. Evolution of the clean air act overview of the clean air. The clean air act of 1970 was established to strictly to base standards for reducing air pollution caused from new fossilfuels electric power plant and other stationary sources, but this left many already existing sources unregulated andrews, 20. Clean air act of 1970 policy the clean air actcaa was passed in 1970 and sets laws that regulate the air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. For example, the clean air act gave both federal and state governments permission to regulate emissions from stationary sources like industrial plants, as well as mobile sources, like cars. Long term, the better approach may be to combine nox setasides or. In response to litigation spawned by the 1970 amendments and in light of accumulating data with regard to the health and welfare effects of air pollution, congress enacted the clean air act amendments of 1977. The act was passed in 1963, but important and major amendments were added to the original act in 1970 and 1990. Epa press release april 30, 1971 epa approves first state clean air plans.
Rogers epa journal januaryfebruary 1990 hearings set on automobile pollution control. The clean air act caa of 1970 was the first of the major federal environmental laws. D if, after the date of the enactment of the clean air act amendments of 1990, the administrator modifies the method of determining compliance with the national primary ambient air quality standard, a design value or other indicator comparable to 0. The 1970 clean air act required states to develop state implementation plans for how they would meet new national ambient air quality standards by 1977. The 1970 clean air act launched an ambitious set of federal programs to establish air quality goals and to impose pollution control technology requirements on new and existing stationary sources and on. Clean air act 1970 with 62 percent less pollution, americans are living healthier, longer lives.
This law authorizes epa to establish national ambient air quality standards naaqs to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Examples of dangers to public welfare are given as injury to agricultural crops and livestock, damage to and the deterioration of property, and hazards to air and ground. Its success or failure has obvious consequences for the quality of the air we breathe. Those of us who had a hand in drafting the 1970 amendments therefore can take satisfaction because that legislation has had a positive impact on our. The clean air act amendments of 1970 addressed the perceived flaws, establishing a model for later environmental legislation.
Reductions in particulate air pollution alone, thanks in large part to the clean air act, have added 1. Clean air act law and legal definition uslegal, inc. The actwhich underwent major revisions in 1990 and 2003deals with ambient air. The 1970 to 1990 clean air act programs prevented 209,000 hospital visits in 1990. The clean air act was major legislation passed to control air pollution in the united states. November 18, 2010 john walke the day before the midterm elections this month i met a very conservative member of congress who asked me what i did for a living. The impact of the clean air act pubmed central pmc.
Archived from the original pdf on december 9, 2010. Air act programs to reduce air pollution nationwide. Acquisition and sale of unauthorised fuel in a smoke control area. The clean air actwhose basic structure was established in 1970, and then amended in 1977 and 1990is a united states federal law. The clean air act caa gave the federal environmental protection agency epa the power it needed to take effective action to fight environmental pollution. In the united states, the clean air acts include the air pollution control act of 1955, clean air act of 1963, air quality act of 1967, the clean air act extension of 1970, and clean air act amendments in 1977 and 1990. This legislation authorized the development of comprehensive federal and state regulations to limit emissions from both stationary industrial sources and mobile sources. A summary of the act and its major requirements congressional research service summary this report summarizes the clean air act and its major regulatory requirements. The law was amended in 1977 and again in 1990 to extend deadlines but also to specify new strategies for cleaning up the air. The death of the clean air acts psd provision carolina law. The actwhich underwent major revisions in 1990 and 2003deals with ambient air pollution that which is present in the open air as well as sourcespecific air pollution that which can be traced to identifiable sources, such as factories and automobiles. In 1990, congress dramatically revised and expanded the clean air act, providing epa even broader authority to implement and enforce regulations reducing air placed an increased emphasis on more costeffective. The clean air act is the name of any of several pieces of legislation aimed at reducing smog and other types of air pollution. Overall,the estimatesimplythatabout2,500fewerinfantsdiedfrom1980.
Short title this act shall be known as the philippine clean air act of 1999. Section 812 of the 1990 clean air act amendments requires the u. Examplesexplanation the clean air act of 1970 by paul rogers. Clean air act regulations have also spurred technological innovation, generating jobs and economic growth. The caa contains provisions for civil and criminal penalties and enforcement through citizen suits. In 1970, general motors announced it would make the switch to cleaner gas by 1974 to meet the requirements of the clean air act. Air pollution has been a problem ever since the industrial revolution of the late 1800s. A history of the clean air act and environmental protection agency 2, 3 key federal legislation related to clean air is summarized below table i. The benefits and costs of the clean air act from 1990 to 2020.
Clean air act of 1970 and the federal water pollution control act of 1972, commonly known as the clean water act. Clean air act united states house of representatives. Although the 1990 clean air act is a federal law covering the entire country, the states do much of the work to carry out the act. The principal statute addressing air quality concerns, the clean air act was first enacted in 1955, with major revisions in 1970, 1977, and 1990. Air act caa, the environmental protection agency epa has already taken the first steps in. An act to consolidate the clean air acts 1956 and 1968 and certain. Overall, the estimates imply that at least 1,300 fewer infants died from 197172 than would have in the absence of the clean air act regulations. Prevention of significant deterioration psd the air pollution control act of 1955 clean air act of 1963 air quality act of 1967 clean air act of 1970 1977 amendments to the clean air act of 1970 1990 amendments to the clean air act of. The caa was expanded from its original set of guidelines, in. Early implementation of the clean air act of 1970 in. Congress passed the core provisions of the clean air act in 1970. And by the 1890s, some cities actually had air pollution control smoke ordinances, like pittsburgh and cincinnati, and st.
The successes of the clean air act have shown that protection of health and economic growth can and do work hand in hand. The direct costs of implementing the clean air act from 1970 to 1990, including annual compliance expen. This act implements a comprehensive program for reducing air pollution focusing on the reduction of ambient that which is present in the. The first substantive legislative development in support of a stronger federal presence in air pollution control was the passage of the motor vehicle safety act on march 11, 1970. Epa to periodically assess the effect of the clean air act on the public health. A history of the clean air act and environmental protection agency 2, 3key federal legislation related to clean air is summarized below table i. Clean air act 10 impacts red, green, and blue says. To implement the strict new clean air act of 1970, during his first term as epa. Permissible lead levels in unleaded and leaded gasoline reduced. The act which underwent major revisions in 1990 and 2003 deals with ambient air pollution that which is present in the open air as well as sourcespecific air pollution that which can be traced to identifiable sources, such as factories and automobiles. Those of us who had a hand in drafting the 1970 amendments therefore can take satisfaction because that legislation has had a positive impact on our nations environmental protection efforts. Air quality, infant mortality, and the clean air act of 1970. The clean air act of 1970 didnt just pop out of the sky.
Its a big job, and although a great deal of progress has been made, it will take time to make the air healthy throughout the. This legislation modified and extended federal legal authority provided by the earlier clean air acts of 1963 and 1970. Historians of the environmental movement are likely to peg earth day 1970 as a key turning point in the american publics consciousness about environmental problems. The enactment of the clean air act of 1970 1970 caa resulted in a major shift in the federal governments role in air pollution control. The clean air act of 1970 caused a major change in how the federal government chose to approach the regulation of air pollution. Background on the 1970 clean air act amendments before 1970 the federal government did not play a significant role in the regulation of air pollution, a responsibility left primarily to state governments. Epa press release march 4, 1971 epa sets national air quality standards. B part of the cost of programs to develop low emission alternatives to the pres ent internal combustion engine. In principle, it was a law that would show excellent results. The clean air act caa is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.