The Clean Air Act, Explained

The Clean Air Act, Explained

Author: Environmental Law Institute August 29, 2024 Duration: 30:33

Have you seen the images of urban smog from the 1960s? Although there is still progress to be made, U.S. air quality has dramatically improved over the past 50 years. We have the Clean Air Act to thank. Passed in 1970, the Act gave the newly formed EPA the legal authority to regulate air pollution. In this episode, ELI Staff Attorney Jarryd Page breaks down how the Clean Air Act works and why it matters today.

Relevant Resources:
Chevron Deference in the Dock: SCOTUS and the Future of Environmental Protection
Community Lawyering for Environmental Justice Part 9: Air Permitting

★ Support this podcast ★

Produced by the Environmental Law Institute, People Places Planet is a conversation grounded in the practical realities of environmental stewardship. This podcast moves beyond abstract theory to explore how laws, policies, and innovative governance models are actively applied. Each episode features discussions with practitioners, scientists, legal experts, and community leaders who are directly engaged in crafting and implementing solutions. You’ll hear nuanced analysis on the intersection of business, regulation, and education, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than just identifying problems. The dialogue consistently centers on how complex frameworks operate in the real world, affecting specific communities, ecosystems, and industries. Listening provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive environmental progress and the challenges that arise at the intersection of human activity and planetary health. It’s an essential resource for anyone curious about the foundational rules and creative strategies shaping our relationship with the environment, offering clarity on the legal and policy threads woven through every environmental issue. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven perspectives that connect the dots between policy texts and their impact on the ground.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

People Places Planet
Podcast Episodes
Law of the Land: Towards a More Sustainable Food System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:36
From producing food deserts and food swamps to negatively impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health, land use laws have shaped America’s food system for decades. Unfortunately, the shape the food system has taken perpe…
Enchanted and Endangered: Wetlands Restoration in New Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:35
While often overlooked, wetlands in New Mexico are integral to ecological balance, water filtration, and the local flora and fauna. Maryann McGraw, Wetlands Program Coordinator for the New Mexico Environmental Department…
Science to the People: Engaging Communities in Wetlands Restoration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:00
What role can communities play in wetlands restoration? Jess Hua, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Hua Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading research that looks into ecological intera…
The Enforcement Angle: New Generation of Nuclear - Advanced Reactors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:42
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC” or the “Agency”) licenses and regulates the civilian and commercial use of nuclear power and radioactive materials, including traditional and advanced reactors. Advanced reac…