What is the Clean Air Act?

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is a federal law that was passed in 1970 to protect public health and the environment from air pollution. The CAA focuses on preventing and reducing air pollution from sources such as power plants, factories, and cars. In Virginia, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is responsible for enforcing the Clean Air Act. The CAA provides protection from dangerous air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead. It requires certain businesses and industries to reduce the amount of pollution they produce and requires states to create plans that meet the national standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The CAA also provides states with the authority to create their own air quality standards that are more stringent than the EPA’s national standards. Virginia has adopted air quality standards that are stricter than the EPA’s, including protecting people from exposure to fine particles and ozone. The CAA requires states to develop and implement plans to address sources of pollution that exceed the standards. Virginia has implemented several plans, such as the Virginia Implementation Plan which outlines the strategies and actions the state will take to reduce air pollution. The CAA also contains provisions for citizens to take legal action against polluters who violate the law. This enables citizens to hold polluters accountable for their actions and protect their health and the environment.

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What is the Clean Air Act?

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