An environmental lawyer from Arlington, Virginia, Zach Pilchen recently completed his master’s degree with highest honors in energy and environmental law at George Washington University. Zach Pilchen’s 2014 internship with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division gave him an early opportunity to work on litigation under the Clean Air Act.
Congress passed the U.S. Clean Air Act in 1970 to effectively address air pollution under federal law. In 1990, Congress amended the Act after recognizing that, while there had been positive air quality outcomes in the Act's first 20 years, there was still much to do in terms of meeting national air quality goals.
Since then, the Clean Air Act has led to all areas of the country meeting air quality standards for carbon monoxide, and substantial reductions in particulate matter pollution. Sulfur dioxide emissions have fallen dramatically, leading to a significant reduction in acid rain. Substances considered most detrimental to the ozone layer (such as CFCs and halons) have been gradually phased off the market and replaced with alternatives. The skylines of national parks are noticeably clearer thanks to reduced pollution haze, and hazardous air pollution from vehicles has fallen by 1.5 million tons a year since 1990.
Congress passed the U.S. Clean Air Act in 1970 to effectively address air pollution under federal law. In 1990, Congress amended the Act after recognizing that, while there had been positive air quality outcomes in the Act's first 20 years, there was still much to do in terms of meeting national air quality goals.
Since then, the Clean Air Act has led to all areas of the country meeting air quality standards for carbon monoxide, and substantial reductions in particulate matter pollution. Sulfur dioxide emissions have fallen dramatically, leading to a significant reduction in acid rain. Substances considered most detrimental to the ozone layer (such as CFCs and halons) have been gradually phased off the market and replaced with alternatives. The skylines of national parks are noticeably clearer thanks to reduced pollution haze, and hazardous air pollution from vehicles has fallen by 1.5 million tons a year since 1990.