Question

Which federal law, passed in 1970, requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national standards for clean air?

A) Clean Water Act.
B) Clean Air Act.
C) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
D) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Answer 1

The correct answer is option B) Clean Air Act.

Step-by-step explanation:

The federal law passed in 1970 that requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national standards for clean air is the Clean Air Act. When the federal government created the EPA to oversee all environmental laws, the Clean Air Act was enacted to tackle the growing problem of air pollution. This landmark piece of legislation was instrumental in setting forth National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which are crucial for protecting public health and the environment from the adverse effects of air pollution.

Command-and-control regulations, such as the Clean Air Act, have played a significant role in improving air quality over the years. While the Act has been very effective, it has also faced challenges, including its nature as an unfunded mandate. This means that while the EPA sets federal standards, it is up to individual states to implement plans to meet these standards.