Q&A

How does the EPA regulate pollution?

How does the EPA regulate pollution?

Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA sets limits on certain air pollutants, including setting limits on how much can be in the air anywhere in the United States. The Clean Air Act also gives EPA the authority to limit emissions of air pollutants coming from sources like chemical plants, utilities, and steel mills.

How effective has the Clean Air Act been?

After the Clean Air Act’s first 20 years, in 1990, it prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths, and almost 700,000 cases of chronic bronchitis were avoided. Through continued innovation and successful implementation, the Clean Air Act will deliver even more benefits over the next 40 years.

Does EPA regulate methane?

The E.P.A.’s new methane rule eliminates federal requirements that oil and gas companies must install technology to detect and fix methane leaks from wells, pipelines and storage sites.

What has been the major success of the Clean Air Act?

The Clean Air Act has proven a remarkable success. In its first 20 years, more than 200,000 premature deaths and 18 million cases of respiratory illness in children were prevented.

Does the Clean Air Act regulate methane?

This is because the Clean Air Act was built to regulate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ways it was not built to regulate “greenhouse gases,” and so calling methane and ethane VOCs would unleash the regulation of those two compounds under effectively all available Clean Air Act programs.

What is NSPS EPA?

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) are pollution control standards issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

How do I report a violation to the EPA?

If you are seeing an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, call 911, then report it to the National Response Center at: 1-800-424-8802. Choose “No” to continue reporting a possible violation that is not an emergency.