Clean Air Act amendments

Definition

The Clean Air Act amendments are changes made to the original Clean Air Act, a federal law in the United States aimed at controlling air pollution. These amendments strengthened regulations on emissions from vehicles, power plants, and industrial sources to improve air quality and protect public health.

Analogy

Think of the Clean Air Act as a set of rules for maintaining cleanliness in your house. The amendments act like updates or improvements to those rules, making them more effective in reducing pollution and keeping the air clean.

Related terms

Emissions standards: Regulations that limit the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere by specific sources such as vehicles or power plants.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these standards establish limits for common air pollutants to protect public health and welfare.

Acid rain: A type of precipitation that contains high levels of sulfuric and nitric acids due to emissions from burning fossil fuels, causing environmental damage.