A gift to ourselves and the world…

…on this day in 1963 the US Congress passed the first Clean Air Act.

 

 

So, what are the effects on the average US citizen of the US implementing the Clean air Act?

> 10+% reduction in pollution in counties that still exceeded pollution thresholds set by the 1970 Clean Air Act.
> $4,300 is the estimated gain in personal income for each individual affected by this improvement in air quality.

In other words, clean air helps us to protect our health
and is profitable for the U.S.

 

…comments by Lyndon B. Johnson upon signing the first Clean Air Act in to law in 1963…

“I AM GLAD to approve this legislation which is to be known as the Clean Air Act. It will make possible a national effort to control air pollution, a serious and growing threat to both our health and our safety. Ninety percent of the population of our cities, over 100 million people, already suffer from a degree of air pollution that demands immediate action.

There are over 6,000 communities which need assistance. This act will permit expanded research, foster cooperative efforts among the States, provide better State and Federal control over pollution. The Federal Government will encourage industry to seek effective solutions to problems of pollution and organize cooperative projects with local, State, and Federal participation.

Now, under this legislation, we can halt the trend toward greater contamination of our atmosphere. We can seek to control industrial wastes discharged into the air. We can find the ways to eliminate dangerous haze and smog. All of us are very grateful to Congressman Roberts, to Senator Ribicoff, Senator Muskie, to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees, Senator McNamara and Congressman Harris, and to all of their colleagues in both the House and Senate who developed and guided this important bill through the Congress. They truly can be proud of the efforts they have made and the achievements that have resulted.“

*The Clean Air Act is Public Law 88-206 (77 Stat. 392)*

From the US EPA web site:
“Milestones

Some principal milestones in the evolution of the Clean Air Act are:

The Air Pollution Control Act of 1955

• First federal air pollution legislation
• Funded research for scope and sources of air pollution

Clean Air Act of 1963

• Authorized the development of a national program to address air pollution related environmental problems
• Authorized research into techniques to minimize air pollution

Air Quality Act of 1967

• Authorized enforcement procedures for air pollution problems involving interstate transport of pollutants
• Authorized expanded research activities

Clean Air Act 1970

• Authorized the establishment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Established requirements for State Implementation Plans to achieve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Authorized the establishment of New Source Performance Standards for new and modified stationary sources
• Authorized the establishment of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
• Increased enforcement authority
• Authorized requirements for control of motor vehicle emissions

1977 Amendments to the Clean Air Act of 1970

• Authorized provisions related to the Prevention of Significant Deterioration
• Authorized provisions relating to areas which are non-attainment with respect to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards

1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act of 1970

• Authorized programs for Acid Deposition Control
• Authorized a program to control 189 toxic pollutants, including those previously regulated by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
• Established permit program requirements
• Expanded and modified provisions concerning the attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• Expanded and modified enforcement authority
• Established a program to phase out the use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.”

Go *here* to check out the US EPA page on Solving Air Pollution Problems with Science and Technology.
For additional information on The clean Air Acts signed in to law and the impacts… go here!
Wikipedia has a good page on the history and impact of The Clean Air Act, go check it out!