The Clean Air Act's Economic Benefits: Past, Present and Future
The Clean Air Act is one of the nation's most important environmental laws. It directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and enforce regulations addressing a wide range of air quality problems and challenges. However, the EPA’s authority has come under threat from members of Congress that would limit the Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
Small Business Majority and Main Street Alliance released a report on Oct. 5 showing that the Clean Air Act’s economic benefits have far exceeded the costs imposed on businesses, and that any legislation limiting the ability of the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions could have negative implications for business both large and small that have enacted new practices to reduce their carbon footprint as part of their new business model.