Which act is associated with establishing air-quality standards and regulating pollutant sources?

• A. Paris Agreement
• B. Kyoto Protocol
• C. Clean Air Act of 1970
• D. National Environmental Policy Act

Answer: (C)

Air quality protection hinges on setting national standards for pollutants and controlling emissions from sources. The Clean Air Act of 1970 establishes this framework: the U.S. EPA sets national ambient air quality standards for pollutants that impact health and welfare, and requires states to develop plans to bring emissions from various sources into compliance. It also directly regulates pollutant sources by setting emission limits and technology requirements for vehicles and industrial facilities, aiming to reduce how much pollution reaches the air.

The Paris Agreement and Kyoto Protocol are international climate deals focused on greenhouse gas emissions, not on establishing domestic air-quality standards or regulating specific pollutant sources within a country. The National Environmental Policy Act, while essential for ensuring environmental considerations in federal actions, does not create air-quality standards or emission-control requirements.