Clean Air Act Flashcards
1
Q
Primary Pollutants vs. Secondary Pollutants
A
- primary pollutants emitted directly from sources
- secondary pollutants form in the atmosphere (different compounds coming together with heat)
2
Q
Kinds of Sources Under CAA
A
Only two:
- stationary
- mobile
3
Q
Criteria Pollutants
A
- sulfur dioxide
- nitrous oxides
- particulate matter
- carbon monoxide
- lead
- ozone
4
Q
Hazardous Air Pollutants
A
- certain pollutants that are considered more toxic -> regulated separately under statute because sources and toxicity different
- mercury + benzene
5
Q
Kinds of Pollutants under CAA
A
- criteria pollutants
- hazardous pollutants
- other regulated pollutants
6
Q
What makes something a criteria pollutant?
A
- numerous diverse sources
- endangers public health or welfare
- (or ones for which EPA already developed criteria pursuant to CAA of 1963)
7
Q
What makes something a hazardous pollutant?
A
- threat of adverse human health effects
- or adverse environmental effects
- not numerous, diverse sources
8
Q
What makes something an “other regulated pollutant?”
A
- endangers public health or welfare
- not numerous, diverse sources
- not hazardous pollutant
9
Q
CAA Section 108
A
- requires EPA to identify “air pollutants” anticipated to endanger public health or welfare and to publish air quality criteria
10
Q
CAA 109
A
- requires EPA to adopt nationally uniform ambient air quality standards (NAAQSs) for criteria air pollutants
11
Q
CAA 110
A
- requires states to develop + submit to EPA for approval state implementation plans (SIPs) specifying measures to assure that air quality within each state meets the NAAQSs
12
Q
CAA 111
A
- requires EPA to establish nationally uniform, technology-based standards for major new stationary sources of air pollution - New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
13
Q
CAA 112
A
- mandates technology-based standards to reduce listed hazardous air emissions from major sources in designated industrial categories, with additional regulation possible if necessary to protect public health with an “ample margin of safety”
14
Q
CAA Part C
A
- 160-169A
- specifies requirements to prevent significant deterioration of air quality (PSD) for areas with air quality that exceeds the NAAQSs
15
Q
CAA Part D
A
- Sections 171-178
- specifies requirements for areas that fail to meet the NAAQSs (nonattainment areas)
16
Q
CAA Title II
A
- 202-216
- requires EPA to establish nationally uniform emissions standards for automobiles and light trucks that manufacturers must meet by strict deadlines
17
Q
CAA Title III
A
- Section 304 authorizes citizen suits against violators of emissions standards and against the EPA administrator for failure to perform non-discretionary duties
- Section 307 authorizes judicial review of nationally applicable EPA actions exclusively in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
18
Q
CAA Title IV
A
- creates system of marketable allowances for sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants and major industrial sources to reduce acid precipitation
19
Q
CAA Title V
A
- requires permits for all major industrial sources w/ state administration and federal oversight
20
Q
CAA Title VI
A
- establishes a program for controlling substances that contribute to depletion of stratospheric ozone
21
Q
Clinton Admin - GHGs
A
- Clinton did nothing to address climate change b/c not a great political issue for him - there was a pretty good statutory argument that GHGs were air pollutants, but Clinton didn’t want to admit this
- ‘99 Carol Browner (Administrator of EPA) -> makes a statement in a congressional hearing that C02= air pollutant
- General Counsel of EPA put out an opinion saying yes air pollutant, but not gonna regulate
22
Q
Bush Admin - GHGs
A
- Bush made a campaign pledge that he would regulate carbon dioxide from power plants
- appointed people to his cabinet who cared deeply about climate change
- BUT March 2001 signed a letter saying CO2 not a pollutant under CAA w/o consulting EPA or DOJ
23
Q
Mendelsen Petition
A
- filed petition arguing that CO2 endangers public welfare + C)2 from new motor vehicles should be regulated
- Bush EPA debate over what to do with it - career people think best to ignore, political appointees want to deny (want to cement the policy)
- further debate over Chevron II or Chevron I and Brown v. Williamson - career people say Chevron II, political appointees say the later