Final answer:
The Clean Air Act (CAA) includes provisions like the establishment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), State Implementation Plans (SIPs), New Source Review (NSR), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), and measures for controlling hazardous pollutants to protect public health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Clean Air Act (CAA) is a comprehensive federal law in the United States that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. It is designed to ensure the public's health and welfare by protecting them from harmful air pollution. The CAA establishes requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce standards for air quality, control technology requirements, and limitations on emissions of hazardous air pollutants.
One of the key provisions of the CAA is the creation of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards are set for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The NAAQS covers pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
The CAA requires states to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs), which outline how they will meet the NAAQS. These plans must be approved by the EPA and are enforceable under federal law. States also have the flexibility to implement additional programs and measures to improve air quality beyond what is required by federal standards.
The New Source Review (NSR) program under the CAA requires industrial facilities to obtain permits before construction or modification if they will emit significant amounts of air pollution. This includes adhering to the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) to minimize emissions. The Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program ensures that where air quality is better than the NAAQS, new industrial activities do not significantly degrade air quality.
The CAA also has provisions for controlling emissions of hazardous air pollutants, establishing an operating permits program, enforcing compliance, monitoring air quality, and providing funding for state and tribal air pollution control programs. Through these regulations and standards, the CAA plays a critical role in reducing air pollution and protecting public health.