What is a major requirement of the Clean Air Act?

The major requirement of the Clean Air Act is to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This act is crucial for protecting public health and the environment by regulating the presence of certain pollutants in the air. The establishment of these standards involves identifying specific limits for concentration levels of harmful pollutants, which are designed to safeguard human health, particularly vulnerable populations like children and the elderly, as well as to protect the environment.

By setting these national standards, the Clean Air Act provides a framework for states to develop plans to achieve and maintain air quality that meets the established guidelines. This is fundamental because it addresses air pollution at a national level, ensuring that all regions work towards a common goal of cleaner air.

In contrast, while reducing water pollution and regulating hazardous waste are important environmental issues, they fall under different legislative frameworks such as the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, respectively. Similarly, while energy efficiency is an important topic in environmental policy, it is not a primary requirement of the Clean Air Act. Thus, the focus on establishing National Ambient Air Quality Standards distinguishes the Clean Air Act from other environmental regulations.