Arizona Contractors License Practice Exam

Which act defines the basic structure for managing air pollution?

1. Clean Water Act

2. Clean Air Act

3. Environmental Protection Act

4. Waste Management Act

The correct answer is: Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act is the legislation that establishes the fundamental framework for regulating air pollution in the United States. This act provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to set and enforce national air quality standards to protect public health and the environment. It emphasizes the importance of controlling emissions from both stationary sources, like factories and power plants, and mobile sources, such as vehicles. The act mandates states to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) to demonstrate how they will achieve and maintain air quality standards set by the EPA. This creates a collaborative approach between federal and state governments in managing air pollution. Additionally, the Clean Air Act addresses various pollutants, including particulate matter, ozone, and carbon monoxide, and outlines specific measures for industries to reduce emissions. The other options mentioned are focused on different aspects of environmental management. The Clean Water Act pertains specifically to regulating discharges into water bodies, the Environmental Protection Act is more general in its approach to environmental protection, and the Waste Management Act deals with solid waste disposal and management practices. Therefore, none of these acts directly address the structured management of air pollution as comprehensively as the Clean Air Act does.