The Clean Air Act, which was last amended in 1990, requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The Clean Air Act established two types of national air quality standards. Primary standards set limits to protect public health, including the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cooperative effort by eleven Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to limit greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia are implementing the first mandatory cap-and-trade program in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
While there remains much to be done in controlling air pollutants, Vermont has been proactive in developing and implementing programs to reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions. These programs include:
While there are many threats to clean air, there are many things individuals can do to help keep air clean. The list that follows offers some clean air tips.
The Air Quality and Climate Division administers funding to provide incentives for reducing air pollution. Past and current programs focus on woodstove change outs, diesel emissions reduction, and outdoor wood-fired boiler change outs. Current funding opportunities are listed below. Funding availability changes over time, so please check back often to see what current opportunities are.
