Requirement 3 (C)
Requirement
Learn about the Clean Air Act. Make notes on when it was passed, its environmental goals, what progress has been made, and what remains to be done to achieve the law’s goals. Describe the impact, benefits, and costs of the law as well as what is required to implement and enforce the law.
The Clean Air Act
In 1970, Congress created the main framework of the Clean Air Act, with significant updates added in 1977 and 1990. At the time, thick smog in many U.S. cities and industrial areas highlighted the growing problem of air pollution and helped drive support for the law during a period of strong environmental awareness. Later amendments were introduced to strengthen the Act and address newly identified issues, including acid rain and harm to the ozone layer high in the atmosphere.
Environmental laws are put into action by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through a regulatory process that considers science, business, economics, public input, and other important factors. These regulations can change over time as new information becomes available.
What Is the Clean Air Act?
Impact, Benefits, and Costs of the Clean Air Act
Impact
- Reduced air pollution from cars, power plants, and factories
- Improved air quality in cities and industrial areas
- Lower levels of harmful pollutants such as smog and toxic chemicals
Benefits
- Cleaner air to breathe and fewer health problems like asthma and lung disease
- Healthier ecosystems, including forests, lakes, and wildlife
- Longer life expectancy and improved quality of life for people
Costs
- Costs to industries and governments to install pollution-control technology
- Higher short-term costs for cleaner fuels and equipment
- Monitoring, enforcement, and compliance costs for businesses and agencies
Did You Know:
A wet scrubber removes hazardous particulates and sulfur dioxide gas from power plant emissions.
How the Clean Air Act Is Implemented and Enforced
To put the Clean Air Act into action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets national air quality standards and limits how much pollution can be released into the air. States are required to create plans showing how they will meet these standards, and industries must use approved technologies to reduce emissions. The EPA and state agencies monitor air quality, inspect facilities, and can issue fines or penalties if the law is violated. Public reporting, scientific research, and cooperation between federal, state, and local governments all help ensure the law is enforced and updated as new pollution problems are discovered or the understanding of environmental impacts changes.
Resources
Resources
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution includes the Clean Air Act text, its history, and the roles of different stakeholders.
Now that you have learned about the Clean Air Act,
let’s explore water pollution.
