Clean Air Act revisions: how extensive will they be

Congressional reauthorization of the Clean Air Act will probably result in only minor changes to simplify the prevention of significant deterioration rules, modify or eliminate compliance deadlines, and adjust the relationship of state agencies to the Environmental Protection Agency to make alteration of state implementation plans easier. While these changes favor industry, they are more modest than industry wants and represent a compromise in favor of environmentalists. A report by the National Commission on Air Quality found the Clean Air Act in need of only some refinement rather than fundamental change. Citing the reversal in air quality deterioration between 1973 and 1978, the report is uncritical of either economic or energy impacts. Congress is expected to concur with the report. Administration recommendations are also expected to emphasize flexibility and simplification instead of the complete overhaul advocated during the 1980 election campaigns. The states affected by acid rain and visibility problems are expected to endorse continuation of the Clean Air Act regulations. (DCK)