The Clean Air Act Needs a Regulatory Face-Lift

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is now 55 years old—and shows its age. That’s not a critique of its legacy. The law, in conjunction with innovation and private investment in environmental improvement, has contributed to significant improvements in air quality, public health, and environmental protection. But its regulatory framework still operates like it’s 1970, often resulting in costly, inefficient regulations that stifle economic growth for little environmental gain. It’s time to modernize the Clean Air Act—not to abandon its ambitions but to upgrade its approach. 

A Track Record Worth Celebrating

Americans today breathe far cleaner air than in the 1970s. National parks have clearer vistas. Acid-rain damage has declined. These environmental triumphs helped improve, save, and support economic growth.When it comes to environmental quality, the data speak for themselves. 

The Yale Environmental Performance Index ranksthe United States among the top global leaders in air quality. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), between 1970 and 2020, US emissions of the six major “criteria” pollutants—carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, coarse and fine particulate matter, lead, and ozone precursors—dropped by 78 percent even as the economy, population, and energy use all grew. 

Ambient air concentrations also fell dramatically. From 1980 to recent years, EPA data show carbon monoxide concentrations down ~73 percent, nitrogen dioxide (annual standard) down ~61 percent, ozone down ~25 percent, and sulfur dioxide one-hour standard down ~91 percent. For lead, concentrations fell by ~86 percent between 1980 and 2005.