pollution abatement timetables and significantly greater Federal involvement 

 including increased civil penalties. It is also the first attempt to control 

 auto emissions. The act further establishes procedures for EPA to promulgate 

 national ambient air standards based solely on factors relating to public 

 health and welfare without regard to technological and economic feasibilities. 



In April 1971, EPA issued the first national contaminant standards for 

 sulfur oxide, carbon monoxide, particulates, photochemical oxidents, hydrocar- 

 bons, and nitrogen oxides. National ambient air quality standards for lead 

 have since been prepared. Primary standards are designed to protect public 

 health and secondary standards are designed to enhance the environment. 



EPA also has set standards of performance for certain stationary sources 

 of pollution. Some of these emission standards apply to new and existing 

 point sources, whereas others apply specifically to new sources. Some pollu- 

 tants are so hazardous that the act requires direct Federal standards and 

 enforcement to protect the public health. National emission standards have 

 been set for asbestos, beryl ium, mercury, and vinyl chloride. Benzene has 

 also been designated a hazardous air pollutant in June 1977. 



Section 220 of the act calls for development by each state of a plan for 

 the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of primary and secondary 

 standards of air pollution. These plans, called State Implementation Plans, 

 (SIP) must assure air quality consistent with the national standards. 



Currently, amendments are being made to the Clean Air Act in Congress. 

 The provisions for changes to the Clean Air Act as recommended by the National 

 Commission on Air Quality were made to strengthen the existing Federal and 

 state programs. Proposals to do away with the Prevention of Significant 

 Degradation requirements and other administrative Federal mandates were sub- 

 mitted to Congress in the Spring of 1981. 



Resource Recovery Act of 1970 



This act was designed to provide Federal assistance to state and local 

 governments to assure proper disposal of solid wastes. 



The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 



This act sets out to broaden the national solid waste management program, 

 and conserve natural resources through waste reduction, and minerals and 

 energy recovery. EPA is authorized to: 



Regulate the disposal of all hazardous wastes. 



Establish state regulatory programs to close all open dumps and con- 

 trol all land disposal of solid wastes, including sludge. 



Encourage the development of basic national resource conservation 

 and recovery policies. 



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