Understanding the U.S. Clean Air Act
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 70 | Word Count: 485
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. Clean Air Act was established in 1963 by the U.S. Congress. Prior to its passage, there were numerous other measures pertaining to the improvement of the nation'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. Since its establishment in 1963, the Act required several amendments and extensions to address new developments linked to air pollution and to assist states in complying 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.
Amendments to the U.S. Clean Air Act were made in 1990. The amendments enhanced the law by adding 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.
The U.S. Clean Air Act enforces air quality standards through the requirement of permits and certain monitoring and reporting methods. It also provides funding to U.S. states to implement clean air programs. Since implementation of the Act requirements are conducted on the state level, the federal government supports each state with scientific research, studies and engineering design.
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.
Although the U.S. Clean Air Act enforces air standards countrywide, the federal law requires each state to carry out most of the regulations and ensure their compliance. U.S. states are responsible for conducting permit application hearings submitted by a power or chemical plant, as well as administering fines on any company that violates air pollution controls. U.S. states are also required to establish implementation plans to show how they are enforcing the law.
With the U.S. Clean Air Act, the air quality in the United States will vastly improve as smog and air pollution is significantly reduced. This, in turn, will lead to better health for all who live in the country. The Act also brings to light problem areas and usage to assist environmental experts in developing measures to keep our planet healthy.
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Daniel Stouffer has detailed data on the importance of good refrigerant gas management and more information on US Clean Air Act.
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