The Clean Air Act of 1963, 1965,
1970, 1977, and 1990 (CAA)
MOLLY LOWE
SARAH JASIENOWSKI
This is the law that defines EPA's
responsibilities for protecting and improving
the nation's air quality and the stratospheric
ozone layer. The EPA’s jurisdiction as defined
The Clean Air Act
by the CAA only extends over the United States.
Drafted in 1963; amended in 1965, 1970, 1977,
1990.
Original function: to protect and enhance the air quality
for the welfare of the people of the US; to promote
research in the area of air pollution control; to provide
assistance to state and federal programs to promote and
execute air pollution control programs; and to
encourage the development of regional programs to
control air pollution.
1965: Known as The National Emissions Standards Act,
this law represents an evolving federal framework
within which automobile pollution has been regulated;
it sets standards regulated by the federal government
that automobile manufacturers must meet with their
vehicles.
1970: This legislation authorized the development of
comprehensive federal and state regulations to limit
emissions from both stationary (industrial) sources and
mobile sources.
The Clean Air Act
Drafted in 1963; amended in 1965, 1970, 1977, 1990.
1977: This concerned provisions for the Prevention of Significant
Deterioration (PSD) of air quality in areas attaining the NAAQS
(National Ambient Air Quality Standards). It also contained
requirements pertaining to sources in non-attainment areas for
NAAQS.
1990: This substantially increased the authority and
responsibility of the federal government. New regulatory
programs were authorized for control of acid deposition (acid
rain) and for the issuance of stationary source operating permits.
The Clean Air Act
As a whole this
legislation was critical
in improving and
regulating the air
quality of the U.S.
This is a landmark
piece of legislation that
has protected America’s
health and
Environment.