What is the primary intent of the Clean Air Act?

The primary intent of the Clean Air Act is to establish emissions standards for air pollutants. This legislation, enacted in the United States in 1963 and significantly amended in subsequent years, aims to protect public health and the environment by regulating the amount and types of pollutants released into the atmosphere. It empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for harmful pollutants, thereby providing a framework to monitor and control air quality across the country. This focus on emissions standards is crucial as it directly targets the sources of air pollution, promoting cleaner air for all citizens and contributing to improved health outcomes and environmental quality.

While indoor air quality and waste disposal are important environmental concerns, they are not the primary focus of this specific piece of legislation. The act does not primarily aim to promote alternative energy sources, although cleaner emissions could lead to a shift towards such sources as a result of regulation compliance.