Air Pollution's Turning Point: 1990'S Landmark Events

In 1990, the Clean Air Act was amended to strengthen the original 1970 bill. The 1990 amendments substantially increased the authority and responsibility of the federal government in addressing air pollution. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 introduced new regulatory programs to control acid rain and the issuance of stationary source operating permits. They also incorporated the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) into a broader program for controlling toxic air pollutants. The 1990 Amendments also established a national permits program and an improved enforcement program to ensure better compliance with the Act.

The Clean Air Act Amendments

In 1989, President George W. Bush proposed revisions to the Clean Air Act to address acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air emissions. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) were signed into law by the President on November 15, 1990, after receiving the bill from Congress a day earlier. The amendments included progressive and innovative themes to effectively achieve air quality goals and regulatory reform.

The new law encouraged the use of market-based principles and performance-based standards, emission banking and trading, and the phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals. It also promoted the use of clean, low-sulfur coal and natural gas, as well as technologies to clean high-sulfur coal through the acid rain program. The CAAA provided a framework for the use of alternative clean fuels and reduced energy waste to decrease dependence on oil imports.

To make the law more workable and ensure better compliance, the amendments called for establishing a national permits program and an improved enforcement program. The House of Representatives and the Senate passed Clean Air bills that included provisions for research and development, as well as addressing accidental releases of toxic air pollutants.

The passage of the CAAA encouraged states to develop creative implementation plans to meet ambient air quality standards. States, particularly in the Midwest, designed new programs to improve air quality while managing the economic costs of compliance. Regional cooperation, such as the formation of the Ozone Transport Commission by 12 states and the District of Columbia, was also explored to reduce the cost of compliance and increase potential trading partners for emissions trading programs.

Overall, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 aimed to provide Americans with a healthy and productive environment linked to sustainable economic growth and sound energy policy.

American Lung Association lobbies Congress

In 1990, the American Lung Association successfully lobbied Congress to strengthen the Clean Air Act by requiring that cities implement specific air pollution control measures. The Clean Air Act, first passed in 1970, allowed the newly created U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national air quality standards.

The American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization that works to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy, and research. The Association was founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis (TB) as the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis (NASPT). Over the years, the Association has expanded its focus to include addressing air pollution and advocating for stronger clean air standards, lower power plant emissions, and cleaner fuels and vehicles.

The Association's efforts to lobby Congress in 1990 were part of its ongoing work to protect public health and improve air quality. The Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 embodied several progressive and creative new themes, including the encouragement of market-based principles and innovative approaches to achieving air quality goals. The amendments provided a framework for the use of alternative clean fuels and promoted the use of clean, low-sulfur coal and natural gas. Additionally, the amendments included provisions for the phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals and specific research and development initiatives to address toxic air pollutants.

The American Lung Association's lobbying efforts have not been limited to the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments. In 2011, the Association led efforts to defend the Clean Air Act and ensure the EPA had the necessary authority and funding to protect public health. The Association also successfully advocated against legislation to strip the EPA of its authority to reduce greenhouse gases. In 2013, the Association urged the EPA to strengthen carbon monoxide standards and supported the enactment of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which limits the spread of dangerous pollutants across state lines. More recently, in 2018, the Association launched a school-based initiative, "Yoga Power," to increase awareness of the importance of lung health.

The work of the American Lung Association has had a significant impact on improving air quality and protecting public health. The Association continues to advocate for stronger clean air standards and policies that reduce air pollution, improve lung health, and prevent lung disease. Through its education, advocacy, and research efforts, the Association is leading the fight for healthy air and saving lives.

Acid deposition and acid rain control

In 1990, the American Lung Association successfully lobbied Congress to strengthen the Clean Air Act. This required cities to implement specific air pollution control measures, such as reducing nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and particle pollution.

Acid deposition, or acid rain, is a significant form of air pollution. It occurs when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. These pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which fall to the earth as wet and dry deposition. Wet deposition, or acid rain, is the most common form, while dry deposition involves acidic particles and gases depositing from the atmosphere in the absence of moisture.

The Acid Deposition Control Program, also known as the Acid Rain Program, is a federal program established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program aims to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions, which affect the pH of precipitation and increase its acidity. Under this program, the EPA set a limit or "cap" on SO2 emissions from regulated power plants, resulting in a significant reduction of 10 million tons per year from the 1980 baseline values. The program also restricts NOx emissions from coal-fired power plants.

To address acid deposition and acid rain, the EPA's Acid Rain Program includes several key components:

• Phase II Acid Rain Permits: Power plants and other sources of acid rain precursors must obtain permits and comply with specific requirements to control their emissions.
• National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP): The NADP, through its National Trends Network (NTN), collects acid rain data at over 250 monitoring sites across North America. This data helps measure wet deposition and understand the extent of acid rain.
• Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) Network: The LTM Network monitors surface water chemistry at more than 280 sites to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems and their response to changes in acid deposition.
• Market-based Principles: The Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 encouraged the use of market-based principles, such as emission banking and trading, to reduce emissions and provide flexibility in meeting environmental goals.
• Clean Fuels and Technology: The amendments also promoted the use of clean, low-sulfur coal and natural gas, as well as innovative technologies to clean high-sulfur coal. Additionally, the development of alternative clean fuels, such as biodiesel, renewable diesel, and ethanol, has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals

The phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals (ODCs) has been a key focus of air pollution efforts since the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. This protocol, a landmark multilateral environmental agreement, regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made ODCs. The protocol's goal is to phase out these chemicals in a step-by-step manner, with different timelines for developed and developing countries.

In 1990, the protocol was updated, and 74 countries agreed to phase out the production and use of ozone-damaging compounds by the year 2000. This update was influenced by evidence that ozone depletion was extending to heavily populated regions in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, increasing the projected rates of skin cancer and potential damage to the immune system.

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 in the United States also played a significant role in addressing air pollution. These amendments included provisions requiring the phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals, in line with international negotiations under the Revised Montreal Protocol. The amendments aimed to improve air quality and drive regulatory reform, encouraging the use of market-based principles and innovative approaches to emission reduction.

The efforts to phase out ODCs have shown significant progress. By 1991, worldwide production and use of these chemicals had declined by 40% in the previous five years, indicating the potential for an early phase-out ahead of the schedule set by the Montreal Protocol. This progress was attributed to dramatic reductions in the use of chlorine- and bromine-based solvents and aerosols, decreased use of halons by firefighters, and heightened public concern over increased ultraviolet radiation exposure.

The phase-out of ODCs has had a positive impact on the environment and public health. The Montreal Protocol is estimated to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 135 gigatons of CO2 from 1990 to 2010, contributing significantly to the protection of the global climate system. Additionally, it is projected that the protocol will save approximately two million people annually from skin cancer by 2030.

California's emissions reduction targets

In 1990, the American Lung Association successfully lobbied Congress to strengthen the Clean Air Act by requiring that cities put in place specific air pollution control measures. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 also called for establishing a national permits program to make the law more workable and an improved enforcement program to ensure better compliance.

California has been at the forefront of the fight against air pollution and climate change, with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) leading the way in promoting and protecting public health, welfare, and ecological resources. The state has set ambitious targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to cut emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

To achieve these targets, California has implemented several programs and policies, including the Renewables Portfolio Standard, the Advanced Clean Cars Program, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and the Cap-and-Trade Program. The state's cap-and-trade program, launched in 2013, is among its major policies, covering about 85% of the state's emissions and investing billions in emission-reducing projects.

California's efforts have yielded significant results, with greenhouse gas pollution falling below 1990 levels for the first time since emissions peaked in 2004. The state also achieved its 2020 target of reducing emissions to 1990 levels, with emissions in 2016 being 3% lower than in 2015.

California's success in reducing emissions is attributed to its comprehensive approach, including market-based principles, performance-based standards, emission banking and trading, and the promotion of clean fuels and innovative technologies. The state's experience provides valuable insights into managing an economy-wide cap-and-trade system, with revenues generated from the program appropriated to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in disadvantaged and low-income communities.

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