Clean Air Act to Turn 40 – EPA Wants to Hear from You!

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson wants to hear from you on the anniversary of the Clean Air Act. (Official EPA portrait courtesy treehugger.com)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Clean Air Act Amendments later this year, and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson wants to know what NWF and you think about it. In a few weeks we’ll post your questions and her answers right here.

A landmark piece of legislation that has led to significant environmental and public health benefits across the United States, the Clean Air Act was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 31, 1970 to foster the growth of a strong American economy and industry while improving human health and the environment.

President Richard Nixon recognized the Clean Air Act as a beginning, stating, “I think that 1970 will be known as the year of the beginning, in which we really began to move on the problems of clean air and clean water and open spaces for the future generations of America”.

Although significant progress has been made in improving the quality of the air in most U.S. cities and communities, there is more to be done over the next 40 years. After the Clean Air Act’s first 20 years, in 1990, it prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths, and almost 700,000 cases of chronic bronchitis were avoided. Over the last 20 years, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants have decreased by more than 41 percent, while the Gross Domestic Product has increased by more than 64 percent. Through continued innovation and successful implementation, the Clean Air Act will deliver even more benefits over the next 40 years.

Got a question for Administrator Jackson, drop me an email at iallonardot-at-nwf-dot-org or leave a comment on this post. Hope to hear from you!

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Published: October 22, 2010