Pollution: Who First Cared, State Or Federal?

The federal government first addressed pollution in the United States with the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, which allocated funding for research. This was followed by the Clean Air Act of 1963, which aimed to tackle air pollution with expanded research efforts and a new public health program. The Clean Air Act of 1970 established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and empowered it to enforce the Act in partnership with state, local, and tribal authorities. The EPA sets national ambient air quality standards, while state governments are responsible for achieving and maintaining those standards. The Clean Water Act of 1972 also addressed water pollution by requiring states to regulate sources of water pollution and providing funding to improve sewage treatment plants. These federal and state initiatives demonstrated a growing concern for environmental protection and public health in the United States.

The Clean Air Act of 1963

Prior to the Clean Air Act, air pollution in the United States was a growing concern, particularly in urban areas. Unregulated industrialization, an increasing dependence on cars, and the burning of coal in factories and homes led to a significant increase in public exposure to dangerous pollutants. Cities like Los Angeles and New York suffered from deadly smog episodes, which harmed the health of residents and even resulted in fatalities.

The 1963 Act built upon the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, which was the first federal legislation involving air pollution. The 1955 Act authorized a research and training program, allocating $3 million per year to the U.S. Public Health Service for five years, but it did not directly regulate pollution sources. Recognizing the need for further action, Congress began expanding federal air pollution control laws in 1963, aiming to accelerate the elimination of air pollution nationwide.

The Air Quality Act of 1967

The Act established that states and local governments were primarily responsible for addressing their own pollution problems. However, it also crucially provided the federal government with the authority to intervene if a state failed to take adequate action. This provision ensured a more coordinated and effective approach to combating pollution, particularly in cases where individual states might lack the necessary resources or motivation to address the issue independently.

The 1967 Act, however, went beyond research and enforcement proceedings were initiated in areas affected by interstate air pollution transport. This included extensive ambient monitoring studies and stationary source inspections, as well as expanded studies of air pollutant emission inventories, ambient monitoring techniques, and control techniques. These actions demonstrated a more proactive approach to addressing pollution and a recognition of the federal government's role in supporting states in their efforts to improve air quality.

The Clean Water Act of 1972

One of the key features of the Clean Water Act was its focus on providing financial assistance to improve water infrastructure. The Act established a system of construction grants, with federal funds supporting 75% of project costs for building or expanding sewage treatment plants, also known as publicly owned treatment works (POTW). This financial support was crucial in helping municipalities address their water pollution issues and ensure access to clean water for their residents.

The Clean Water Act has had a significant impact on reducing pollution levels in the United States. Since its passage, the country has witnessed a dramatic decrease in water pollution, with much cleaner waterways than before. The Act has also played a crucial role in protecting human health, restoring and maintaining aquatic ecosystems, and supporting economic and recreational activities that depend on clean water.

Over the years, the Clean Water Act has undergone various amendments and updates to strengthen its provisions further. For example, the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the Water Quality Act (WQA) of 1987 introduced significant changes to enhance the effectiveness of the original legislation. Additionally, the establishment of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in the 1987 WQA provided a dedicated source of funding for states and Puerto Rico to address wastewater treatment, nonpoint source pollution control, and estuary protection.

The Cuyahoga River fires

The Cuyahoga River, located in Northeast Ohio, bisects the city of Cleveland and feeds into Lake Erie. As Cleveland became a major manufacturing hub, the river became heavily affected by industrial pollution. In fact, the river was so polluted that it caught fire multiple times, with fires reported in 1868, 1883, 1887, 1912, 1922, 1936, 1941, 1948, 1952, and 1969.

The 1969 fire, which occurred on June 22, was sparked by a passing rail car that ignited an oil slick on the river's surface. This fire caused approximately $50,000 in damage, mainly to an adjacent railroad bridge. Despite the best efforts of Mayor Carl Stokes, who was the first Black mayor of a major city, the incident initially garnered little attention, with the Cleveland media largely ignoring the story.

However, the 1969 fire became a pivotal moment in the American environmental movement. Time magazine published an article on the fire, using a dramatic photo from the 1952 blaze, and National Geographic featured the river in their December 1970 cover story, "Our Ecological Crisis." The public response to the 1969 fire and the media coverage it received helped spur grassroots activism and raised awareness about the environmental crisis in American cities.

The Cuyahoga River fire also had a significant impact on public perception. It negatively affected how Americans viewed highly industrialized areas, and it sparked pop songs and captured the imagination of the nation. The fire and the media coverage brought attention to the issue of water pollution and the need for better regulation and control.

The fire also motivated Mayor Stokes to advocate for stronger federal involvement in pollution control. He testified before Congress and urged for the passage of the federal Clean Water Act, which was enacted in 1972. The Cuyahoga River fires led to the creation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the establishment of federal and state environmental protection agencies. The fires also resulted in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which prohibits the discharge of oil into navigable rivers.

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977

The federal government first addressed pollution in 1955 with the Air Pollution Control Act, which allocated federal funding for research. The Clean Air Act of 1963 aimed to tackle air pollution with expanded research efforts and a new public health program. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 built on this legislation, introducing several new provisions and requirements.

The 1977 Amendments focused on protecting areas with clean air, including wilderness areas and national parks, while also continuing to address polluted regions. This shift in focus expanded the scope of the original Clean Air Act, which primarily aimed to clean up areas with existing pollution problems. The 1977 Amendments also introduced new requirements for areas that were not meeting clean air standards, recognising that maintaining clean air is an ongoing process.

The Amendments tightened the rules around automobile emissions, recognising that vehicles were a major source of pollution. This included specific limits on hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from light-duty motor vehicles, with requirements for further reductions by 1980. The permissible level of nitrogen oxide emissions from these vehicles was also set, with a further reduction mandated for subsequent years.

The 1977 Amendments also modified the State Implementation Plans (SIPs) by adding "Prevention of Significant Deterioration" (PSD) requirements. These plans outline how each state intends to meet national ambient air quality standards, with the federal government setting the standards and states responsible for implementation. The PSD provision ensures that states focus on preserving good air quality while also improving areas with poor air quality.

Overall, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 strengthened the US government's commitment to combating pollution and protecting public health. By addressing both clean and polluted areas, tightening emission standards, and empowering enforcement agencies, these amendments played a crucial role in the ongoing effort to improve air quality in the United States.

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