Toward a Sustainable Future
Stacy Powell
American Intercontinental University
Abstract
For this assignment I will be discussing the Clean Air Act of 1970 along with the amendments made in 1977 and 1990. I will discuss the law and some of the provisions that have been made. I will discuss the economic impact as a result of this law; if there are any fines, costs, or benefits economically along with data to support this information. I will also discuss my feelings on whether this law has been beneficial and also provide information to support my answer.
Clean Air Act The Clean Air Act of 1970 is a federal law created to control emissions in the air from immobile and transportable sources. This law gives the Environmental Protection Agency permission to launch four main governing programs: The National Ambient Air Quality Standards, also known as NAAQS, in order to safeguard community well-being and safety as well as control the release of harmful toxins which pollute the air. State Implementation Plans, also known as SIPs; National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, also known as NESHAPs; and New Source Performance Standards, also known as NSPS. The Environmental Protection Agency was created December 2, 1970 in order to carry out the requirements of the Clean Air Act of 1970 (EPA, 2013).
There were provisions made to the Clean Air Act in 1977 and in 1990. President Jimmy Carter signed into law H.R. 6161, also known as the Clean Air Amendment of 1977, on August 8, 1977. This amendment had three main provisions which proved the legal support for the EPA to carry out a solid and reliable program for meeting and upholding the standards for air quality for protecting the health of our overall population. This provision requires the auto business to follow a strict schedule for reducing emissions by making cars that help with keeping the air cleaner and help to improve the effectiveness of gasoline. This
References: American Business (2010, Jan. 25). Clean Air Acts – American Business. Retrieved from http://american-business.org/151-clean-air-acts.html Clean Air Trust (1999). How well has the Clean Air Act worked? Retrieved from http://www.cleanairtrust.org/cleanairact.html EPA (2013, Apr. 16). Summary of the Clean Air Act. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act EPA (2013, Jan. 15). The Clean Air Act: Protecting Human Health and the Environment Since 1970 as the US Economy has Grown. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/air/sect812/economy.html Peters, G. (2013). The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=7946 Policy Almanac (2002, May 13). Features of the 1990 Clean Air Act: The role of the federal government and the role of the states. Retrieved from http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/epa_clean_air_act.shtml