EPA’s Ambient Air Quality Standards
Overview of Clean Air Act Provisions and Resulting Court Action
The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish minimum national standards for air quality, and assigns primary responsibility to the States to assure compliance. Areas not meeting the standards, referred to as nonattainment areas, are required to implement specified air pollution control measures. The Act establishes Federal standards for autos and other mobile sources of air pollution, for sources of 188 hazardous air pollutants, and for the emissions that cause acid rain. It establishes a comprehensive State-run permit system for all major sources of air pollution. It also addresses the prevention of pollution in areas with…
