Clean Air Act

About

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is a comprehensive federal law aimed at regulating emissions from both mobile and stationary sources to protect public health and the environment. Enacted in 1955 and significantly amended in 1970, 1977, and 1990, the CAA empowers the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for pollutants like sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead. These standards are designed to safeguard public health with an adequate margin of safety. The CAA includes provisions for controlling hazardous air pollutants, implementing a cap-and-trade program to reduce acid rain, and requiring states to administer permit programs for major air pollution sources. It also addresses the prevention of significant deterioration of air quality in clean areas and protects the stratospheric ozone layer by implementing the Montreal Protocol. Overall, the CAA plays a crucial role in improving air quality, enhancing public health, and promoting environmental welfare across the United States.