Overview of power plant regulation under the Clean Air Act

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Environ. Prof.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6065198

Dowd, A J

In 1977, Congress amended the Clean Air Act to expand and vastly complicate regulatory and enforcement authority. The prevention of significant deterioration of air quality (PSD) and nonattainment programs was codified. Concerns over deteriorating visibility in the West led to provisions which may require the retrofitting of control technology on some existing sources. The use of dispersion techniques in lieu of continuous controls was limited by statutory language. And stringent criminal, civil, and administrative penalties were introduced. The key provisions of this complex regulatory structure are reviewed, and the position taken by the utility industry in current agency action to implement the Clean Air Act summarized. The extreme complexity of the regulatory system is demonstrated. The system seems to grow more unwieldy and more costly with each passing year. While the Air Act has served and continues to serve important air quality objectives, these objectives are at times defeated by the complexities of the present system. The major benefits of cleaning up the nation's air were realized in the early and mid-1970s. The cost of air pollution control, however, is growing faster now while benefits, in terms of incremental emission reductions, are diminishing. The balance struck between the environment and economic and energy values in the early days of Air Act regulation has changed dramatically as additional layers of restrictions are imposed and as energy prices increase. It is suggested that the time has arrived for hard thought by both EPA and Congress concerning what society is willing to forego for incremental improvements in air quality beyond levels reflected in current National Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). (JGB)

• Research Organization: American Electric Power Co., Broadway, NY
• OSTI ID: 6065198
• Journal Information: Environ. Prof.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Prof.; (United States) Vol. 1:4; ISSN EPROD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
500600* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CLEAN AIR ACT
DOCUMENT TYPES
IMPLEMENTATION
LAWS
POLLUTION LAWS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
REGULATIONS
REVIEWS