Thursday, March 12, 2009

U.S. Clean Air Act Aims To Improve Air Quality

By Daniel Stouffer

The U.S. Clean Air Act is aimed at reducing air pollution to improve the country's air quality. In addition, the law targets harmful substances that weaken the stratospheric ozone layer. As such, companies, in particular manufacturers, utility providers and facilities with equipment that uses chemical substances, are required to follow the federal law.

The U.S. Congress passed the U.S. Clean Air Act in 1963. Prior to its passage, there were other regulations aimed at improving the country's air quality. They included the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, the Air Quality Act of 1967, the Clean Air Act Extension of 1970 and the Amendments of 1977. In addition to the laws set forth in the 1963 Act, a number of amendments and extensions were added to address new areas linked to air pollution and to help states better comply with the law.

Overseeing the U.S. Clean Air Act is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Among the issues the federal law addresses are air pollution prevention and control; ozone protection; air quality and emission limits; requirements to prevent substantial deterioration of air quality; and stratospheric ozone protection.

While passed in 1963, the U.S. Clean Air Act was amended in 1990. Enhancements to the law extended efforts to control air pollutants. Among the 1990 amendments were acid rain controls; new auto gasoline reformulation regulations; implementation of a leak detection and repair program; new controls aimed at reducing interstate air pollution; establishment of a national permits program; requirements for attaining and maintaining national ambient air quality standards; stratospheric ozone and global climate protection; and provisions for enforcement.

Since requirements under the U.S. Clean Air Act are carried out mainly on the state level, the federal government supports each state with funding, scientific research, studies and engineering design. In addition, U.S. states must adhere to permit requirements and certain monitoring and reporting methods outlined in the regulation.

The U.S. Clean Air Act clearly defines the role of the federal government and U.S. states when dealing with air quality measures. Among the areas addressed under the regulation are measures to control interstate air pollution, and leak detection and repair standards for commercial equipment that emits harmful substances.

Establishing consistent standards is a prime purpose of the U.S. Clean Air Act. The federal law requires each state to carry out the regulations so that the standards are met countrywide. In particular, U.S. states must conduct permit application hearings submitted by power or chemical plants, administer fines on companies that violate air pollution controls, and establish implementation plans to indicate how they are enforcing the Act.

Because of the U.S. Clean Air Act, the air quality in the United States will significantly recover over time as smog and air pollution is greatly reduced. By improving air quality, the health of all who live in the United States will be enhanced. On an ongoing basis, the Act ensures that new problems will be properly addressed so our planet remains healthy for many years to come.

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