Clean Air Protection Problems at National Parks and Wilderness Areas: Hearing Before the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Subcommittee of ... One Hundred Third Congress, Second Sessio - Softcover

U. S. Committee On Government Operations

 
9781334971990: Clean Air Protection Problems at National Parks and Wilderness Areas: Hearing Before the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Subcommittee of ... One Hundred Third Congress, Second Sessio

Synopsis

This book examines the failure of the United States government to implement policies designed to protect national parks and wilderness areas from the damaging effects of industrial air pollution. The author begins by outlining the legislative history of the Clean Air Act and its amendments, highlighting the intent of Congress to establish and enforce strict emission standards for industrial facilities located near these protected areas. Unfortunately, the author finds that the government has been largely unsuccessful in implementing these policies. The Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program, designed to limit emissions from new industrial sources near national parks, has been rendered ineffective due to exemptions for existing sources and overly narrow interpretations of the law by federal agencies. The Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) program, intended to reduce emissions from existing sources, has been used only once in over forty years due to its high cost and stringent evidentiary requirements. The author further argues that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed to fulfill its obligation under the Clean Air Act to issue regional haze regulations, which would require states to reduce air pollution that impairs visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. The EPA has repeatedly delayed issuing these regulations, citing a lack of scientific data and a desire to await the recommendations of the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission. This book provides a comprehensive and deeply researched account of the government's failure to protect national parks and wilderness areas from air pollution. The author's analysis of the Clean Air Act and its amendments, combined with detailed case studies of the PSD and BART programs, exposes the weaknesses in the current regulatory framework. The book concludes with a call for stronger enforcement of existing laws and the adoption of more stringent regulations to ensure that the nation's most cherished natural treasures are protected for future generations.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780656483334: Clean Air Protection Problems at National Parks and Wilderness Areas: Hearing Before the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Subcommittee of ... One Hundred Third Congress, Second Sessio

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0656483334 ISBN 13:  9780656483334
Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018
Hardcover