Clean air amendments of 1977

The 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments, intended to clarify the 1970 Clean Air Act and to address new problems, show a trend toward emphasizing state and local control, the use of economic strategies, and more-efficient pollution control. The timetable for automobile emission standards was extended for industry and waiver provisions for the carbon monoxide standard were granted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Implementation remains a state responsibility with plans approved by the EPA. States must include plans to prevent ambient air quality from deteriorating down to the standard. The regulatory framework is seen to be more flexible and decentralized, with provisions for local planning and approval of new pollution sources and for Federal funds to be withheld when projects are inconsistent with stategies to implement air quality standards. EPA responsibilities were broadened to cover visibility, stack heights, and ozone layer protection. The shift toward an economic approach includes noncompliance penalties and emission offset policy.