The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set national air quality standards for common pollutants based solely on protecting public health and welfare. The Act requires states or the EPA to set emissions standards or limits for air pollution sources such as power plants, industrial facilities or motor vehicles. These emissions standards may be designed to control common pollutants, toxic pollutants or greenhouse gas pollution. Technologies have also been used to reduce pollutant emissions by employing catalysts and scrubbers. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and ultra-low NOx burners are used for NOx emissions; scrubbers, which achieve 95% and even greater SO2 control on boilers; and finally, new valve seals and leak detection equipment for refineries and chemical plants to ensure emissions are within acceptable values.
Under the Clean Air Act, science is the foundation for setting health-based air quality standards for certain common air pollutants. Considering the methods listed above, hypothesize as to what would be the BEST way to reduce air pollution before it begins?
A) Format new, stricter emission standards.
B) Rigorously enforce the standards set forth by the EPA.
C) Use alternate green power resources to avoid emissions.
D) Reduce the number of cars on the road; use public transportation.