| U.S. Clean Air Act Aims To Improve Air Quality |
| Written by Daniel Stouffer | |
| Sunday, 22 March 2009 | |
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The U.S. Clean Air Act is a federal law designed to reduce air pollution in order to improve the nation's overall air quality. The intent of the federal law is to identify and reduce harmful substances that weaken the stratospheric ozone layer. Many of these pollutants can be found in companies, especially manufacturers, utility providers and facilities with equipment that uses chemical substances. Under the Act, they must follow the regulations or risk serious fines.
The U.S. Clean Air Act is a federal law designed to reduce air pollution in order to improve the nation's overall air quality. The intent of the federal law is to identify and reduce harmful substances that weaken the stratospheric ozone layer. Many of these pollutants can be found in companies, especially manufacturers, utility providers and facilities with equipment that uses chemical substances. Under the Act, they must follow the regulations or risk serious fines. 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. The U.S. Clean Air Act, while passed in 1963, was amended in 1990 with enhancements to the law. The amendments to the law included 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. When addressing air quality measures under the U.S. Clean Air Act, the role of the federal government and U.S. states is specifically defined. Measures to control interstate air pollution and leak detection and repair are included in the measure. 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. As a result of the U.S. Clean Air Act, smog and air pollution will reduce substantially and the air quality in the United States will greatly improve. This, in turn, will ensure better health for all who live in the country. Through its regulations, the Act will enable the country to quickly address new problem areas and usage issues so that the country, and ultimately the entire planet, can remain healthy. The Article Author: Daniel Stouffer has a lot more information on the need for effective refrigerant gas management and more information on US Clean Air Act. |
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