Despite these advances, the clean air act is under threat from both the legislative and executive branches of the government. Sometimes they are a way of recognizing or honoring the sponsor or creator of a particular law as with the tafthartley act. Congress first funded research on automobile air pollution control. Pryor is an associate professor at the usc annenberg school for communication. This act gives the epa the authority to regulate how much pollutants can enter the air in any state in the us congressional. You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. The clean air act is a federal law written to cover the regulation of air pollution in the united states both fixed sources such as coal power plants and moving sources like automobiles.
To strengthen this automakers argument, we need to find the answer choice that shows that meeting the standards will be more burdensome now than it was in 1970. In 1990, congress dramatically revised and expanded the clean air act, providing epa even broader authority. 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. The use of clean energy, including wind turbines and solar panels, helps to keep our air clean. Provision by local authorities of information for secretary of state. Air quality, infant mortality, and the clean air act of 1970. It is one of the united states first and most influential modern environmental laws, and one of the most comprehensive air quality laws in the world.
The clean air act of 1970 was designed to control air pollution on a national level and established national ambient air quality standards naaqs to curb pollution. Clean air act 1972, 1990 control air pollution on a natural level air quality act of 1967 and earth day in 1970 chapter 186 laws and regulations can reduce outdoor air pollution safe drinking water act 1974 sets standards for drinking water quality many americans did not have safe drinking water chapter 203 using laws to protect drinking. Regulations about local authority functions under sections 34, 35 and 36. Also, the results correspond with the findings in chay and greenstone 1999.
For the 1970 amendments moved environmental protection concerns to a prominent position on capitol hill, where they by. The clean air acts of 1970 and 1990 reduced pollution through a commandandcontrol regulatory standards. Begun and held at the city of washington on tuesday, the twentythird day of january. The obvious counterpoint would be that they were able to use new technology to respond to the restrictions then, so why not now. The clean air act was major legislation passed to control air pollution in the united states. Oct 04, 2016 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. Then in the 1960s, congress enacted a federal program authorizing the secretary of health, education and welfare to establish motor vehicle standards to reduce tailpipe emissions. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act see tables for classification, no suit, action, or other proceeding lawfully commenced by the administrator or any other officer or employee of the united states in his official capacity or in relation to the discharge of his official duties under the clean air act 42 u. It was such a huge change in the law, larry pryor says, nominating the act as a law that shaped l. The clean air act caa is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and. Previous research has established an association between air pollution and adult mortality. Benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990 study design and summary of results.
Laws acquire popular names as they make their way through congress. May 24, 2012 the donora smog disaster and the clean air act of 1970. B part of the cost of programs to develop low emission alternatives to the pres ent internal combustion engine. The clean air act caa gave the federal environmental protection agency epa the power it needed to take effective action to fight environmental pollution.
Under section 812 of the 1990 clean air act, the epa is required to design and implement each study with the cooperation of the departments of labor and commerce, in addition to a panel of outside experts, and to issue periodic reports such as benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990. The impact of the clean air act pubmed central pmc. The clean air act of 1963 actually had a predecessor the air pollution control act of 1955. Epa to periodically assess the effect of the clean air act. However, studies utilizing shortterm fluctuations in pollution may detect mortality changes among the already ill or dying, while prospective cohort studies, which utilize geographic differences in longrun pollution levels, may suffer from severe omitted variables bias. 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. Because many states fail to meet mandated targets, the first set of clean air act amendments is adopted. The act was passed in 1963, but important and major amendments were added to the original act in 1970 and 1990. A recent epa analysis of the clean air act amendments.
In 1955, states received some federal assistance under the air pollution control act. The law was amended in 1977 and again in 1990 to extend deadlines but also to specify new strategies for cleaning up the air. Act, giving the federal government authority to clean up air. All rules, regulations, orders, determinations, contracts, certifications, authorizations, delegations, or other actions duly issued, made, or taken by or pursuant to the clean air act this chapter, as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this act aug.
Chay and michael greenstone august 2001 we thank david card, vernon henderson, and participants of. The benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990. The clean air act of 1970 and adult mortality springerlink. Total benefits of the clean air act between 1970 and 2010 exceeded total costs by as much as 40 to 1. The donora smog disaster and the clean air act of 1970. Clean air act clean air act 1972 1990 control air pollution. Nov 28, 2012 if youre referring to the clean air act passed in the u. 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. Epas prospective study of the clean air act focuses on the effects of the 1990 clean air act amendments from 1990 through 2010 by estimating the incremental benefits of the 1990 amendments. A general rule i by no later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of the clean air act amendments of 1990, the state shall submit a revision to the applicable implementation plan to provide for volatile organic compound emission reductions, within 6 years after the date of the enactment of the clean air act amendments of 1990. Moratorium in certain areas in the case of an area to which, immediately before the date of the enactment of the clean air act amendments of 1990, the. Clean air act law and legal definition uslegal, inc. 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. This act implements a comprehensive program for reducing air pollution focusing on the reduction of ambient that which is present in the.
The primary goal of the clean air act is ensuring public health, but the act has a secondary effect of improving the environment by regulating the production of some greenhouse gases. Enforcing the clean air act of 1970 article pdf available in scientific american 2286. The amendments in 1970 were an entirely rewritten version of the original clean air act. Benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990government report excerpt by. The plain english guide to the clean air act pinal county. Starting in the mid 1950s states and localities began to design air pollution programs to clean the air in their communities. Sometimes these names say something about the substance of the law as with the 2002 winter olympic commemorative coin act. What are some pros and cons for the clean air act of 1970. 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. October 15, 1997 source for information on benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990. The clean air act caa is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Sustainability trends reducing emissions at airports pdf. Air act programs to reduce air pollution nationwide.
If youre referring to the clean air act passed in the u. The air quality act of 1967 also authorized expanded studies of air pollutant emission inventories, ambient monitoring techniques, and control techniques. Section 812 of the clean air act amendments of 1990 requires the environmental protection agency. Edmund muskie and signed into law by president nixon on dec. Benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1970 to 1990. Clean air act of 1963, 1970 and 1990 american historama. Its success or failure has obvious consequences for the quality of the air we breathe. In 1955, states received some federal assistance under the. 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. Economics of education, health care, health economics, public economics, environment and energy economics we examine the effects of total suspended particulates tsps air pollution on infant health using the air quality. Environmental protection agency epa to establish national ambient air quality standards naaqs to protect public health and public. Air quality, infant mortality, and the clean air act of 1970 kenneth y. Its a big job, and although a great deal of progress has been made, it will take time to make the air healthy throughout.
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. Apr 02, 2011 congress passed the core provisions of the clean air act in 1970. I believe that congress enactment of the 1970 amendments to the clean air act a few months later was an equally significant landmark. Feb 26, 2010 the clean air act extension, written by maine sen. One hundred first congress of the united states of america. It was followed eight years later by legislation to control air pollution. The clean air act of 1970 represented a major shift in federal government responsibility for limiting the exposure of u. Reductions in particulate air pollution alone, thanks in large part to the clean air act, have added 1. The report shows that the public health protection and environmental benefits of the clean air act exceeded the costs of its programs by a large margin. Concern about automobile pollutants dates back to the mid1950s, when the u. Chay michaelgreenstone workingpaper0408 august2003 roome52251 50memorialdrive cambridge,ma02142. 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 amendments established the procedures under which epa sets national standards for ambient air quality, required a 90% reduction in. Clean air act 1970 with 62 percent less pollution, americans are living healthier, longer lives.
The report estimates the benefits and costs of historical air pollution control programs under the clean air act by comparing the differences between two scenarios. In principle, it was a law that would show excellent results. 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 approaches to reduce air pollution. Airquality,infantmortauty,andthecleanairactof1970 abstract weexaminetheeffectsoftotalsuspendedparticulatestspsairpollutiononinfanthealthusing. A recent epa analysis of the clean air act amendments of 1990 caaa found that the benefits from caaa regulation far outweigh the costs by a factor of 30 to 1 with highbenefit estimates exceeding costs 90 to 1 the benefits and costs of the clean air act, 1990 to 2020. Due to inconsistencies among state air programs, uncertainties in the scientific bases for the various criteria, and the jurisdictional obstacles to resolving regional and transboundary air quality concerns, congress strengthened the federal role in air pollution control in the clean air act of 1970. The caa was expanded from its original set of guidelines, in which the states. Chay and michael greenstone august 2003 we thank david card, doug almond, josh. Jun 29, 2010 this feature is not available right now. To implement the strict new clean air act of 1970, during his first term as epa administrator william ruckelshaus spent 60% of his time on the automobile. The 1970 amendments established the procedures under which epa sets national standards for ambient air quality, required a 90% reduction in emissions. The clean air acts economic benefits past, present and future.
Economics of education, health care, health economics, public economics, environment and energy economics. History of air pollution control until 1970, air pollution was under the regulation of the individual states. The federal role was strengthened in subsequent amendments, notably the clean air act amendments of 1970, 1977, and 1990. Congress passed the core provisions of the clean air act in 1970. Jun 01, 2015 authorized the establishment of national ambient air quality standards established requirements for state implementation plans to achieve the national ambient air quality standards authorized the. Clean air act extension of 1970 mnn mother nature network. The clean air act was created in 1963 and amended in 1970 and 1990 to ensure that.
The basic framework of the law and its public health objective have remained intact. When the government requires specific processes for reducing pollution, it is using. Nrdc legislative facts the clean air act is a genuine american success story and one of the most effective tools in u. The act of 1970 resulted in the establishment of the environmental protection agency epa on december 2, 1970. Evolution of the clean air act overview of the clean air. Even though the deadlines originally imposed in the 1970 amendments ultimately were not met, the amendments unquestionably succeeded in fostering a profound attitude.
Perhaps the key single factor is the 1970 federal clean air act. Pdf enforcing the clean air act of 1970 researchgate. The epa has allowed the individual states to elect. Authorized the establishment of national ambient air quality standards established requirements for state implementation plans to achieve the national ambient air quality standards authorized the. Since the clean air act was passed in 1970, why is the air. A, because local controls were erratic and sensitive to industry costs rather than health costs.
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