Clean Air Act: States Exempted from Penalties for Foreign Pollution
This law changes how states are penalized for failing to meet federal air quality standards. If a state proves that pollution originates outside the US or results from uncontrollable events (like wildfires), it can avoid federal sanctions and fees. This reduces immediate financial pressure on local governments, though the underlying requirement to improve air quality remains.
Key points
States will not face federal sanctions or fees for poor air quality if they demonstrate the failure was caused by emissions from outside the US or exceptional events.
The law makes it easier for areas to avoid being designated as failing air quality standards if the pollution source is foreign, including emissions not caused by human activity.
The exemption from penalties does not remove the state's obligation to implement measures aimed at achieving federal air quality standards.
Introduced
Citizen Poll