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media type="file" key="House Bill 3989.mp3" =**The Clean Air Act**  =

Title:
The Clean Air Act

Bill Number:
H.R. 3989

Sponsor:
John McHugh- Republican from New York

Summary and Description:
The purpose of The Clean Air Act is to reduce mercury, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions. It reduced these acid-rain causing emissions by mandating the activating of a "cap-and-trade" system. This is where companies receive credits depending on the amounts of pollution they released, where those who release less pollution receive more credits and those who release over the limit get less. Those companies that don't meet pollution reduction expectations can buy credits from other companies that are exceeding them. Additionally, The Clean Air Act is a federal Law designed to make sure that every American has air that is safe to breathe in.

Changes to the Bill:
The amendment to the bill was not accepted and received changes by President George Bush. The bill was changed to become more company friendly and did not require scrubbers, or smokestack filters, in the advancements for companies. It allowed certain "dirty power plants" (meaning that they pollute a lot) to continue running without complete upgrades in pollution controlling technology. Also, plants have to be reviewed before installing new equipment but don't have to modernize with scrubbers if the developing costs less than 20% of the plant's total value and doesn't increase emissions. It is important because it helps the environment by reducing things that cause acid rain, smog, and global climate changes. It effects the environment, world, and even big companies.
 * Why is it so important?**
 * Who does this effect?**

History
This amendment was introduced on October 29th, 2007. Like said upove in "Changes to the Bill", this amendment was not exepted.

The original Clean Air Act was the Clean Air Act of 1963, and this was the first federal legislation regarding air pollution control.


 * 1963- Created a national program to deal with air pollution related environmental problems. Also, it allowed research into methods to minimize air pollution.


 * 1970- Created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee that the bill has carried out what it has proposed to do carry out. Called for a 90% reduction in tail pipe pollution (pollution from cars). Created the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
 * 1977- Prevention of significant environmental deterioration. Respect/enforce the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.


 * 1990- Programs were created to reduce and control acid rain. NESHAP's created an expanded program for limiting and controlling toxic air pollutants. Tighten emission standards. Acid deposition control. Control of 189 toxic pollutants.

Has it worked?:
So far, the Clean Air Act has been a success!
 * The air has been cleaner
 * Emissions of toxic lead have dropped by 98%
 * Public Health has improved
 * Emissions of Sulfur Dioxide has dropped by 40% since 1970, even though the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has more than doubled
 * Carbon Monoxide emissions have dropped by 32% even though driving has gone up by 127%

As you can see from the chart in the link below, there have been major decreases in the six major air pollutants. (The blue-green bars represent 1970's levels, and purple bars represent the levels in 2002.) . (Visit the website above to see a graph. You will have to scroll down. Above the website is a "key" for that graph)

Pictures:
http://healthandenergy.com/images/Clean%20Air%20Act%20trashed.gif (Visit the website above to see a political cartoon about the "Clean Air Act".)



Bibliography:
Information: Cooper, Mary H. "Air Pollution Conflict." __CQ Researcher__. 14 Nov. 2003. The CQ Researcher. 1 Dec. 2008 <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2003111400>. (Also responsible for one of the pictures) __Clean Air Trust__. 2 Dec. 2008 <http://www.cleanairtrust.org/‌cleanairact.html>. The Dirksen Congressional Center. “Congress Link.” __The Dirksen Congressional Center__. Nov. 2008 <http://www.capwiz.com/‌cl/‌issues/‌bills/‌?billtype=H.R.&billnumb=3989&congress=110>. Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. __Compton’s Fact Index Volume 26__. USA: n.p., 2005. __Environmental Protection Agency__. 1 Dec. 2008 <http://www.epa.gov/‌air/‌caa/‌caa_history.html>. “H.R. 3989: Healthy Air and Clean Water Act.” __GovTrack.us__. 3 Dec. 2008 <http://www.govtrack.us/‌congress/‌bill.xpd?bill=h110-3989&tab=summary>. “H.R. 3989, Healthy Air and Clean Water Act.” __washingtonwatch.com__. 3 Dec. 2008 <http://washingtonwatch.com/‌bills/‌show/‌110_HR_3989.html>. __World Book Encyclopedia G Volume 8__. Chicago: n.p., 2007. __World Book Encyclopedia Research Guide/__‌__Index Volume 22__. Chicago: n.p., 2007.

Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogersmith/512865294/ Smoke on the Water Roger Smith [|http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/news_topics/air_pollution?page=] http://healthandenergy.com/images/Clean%20Air%20Act%20trashed.gif