92o CONGRESS 1 GTTWATT? / DOCUMENT
2d Session / bfcWAlfc | No
PROGRESS IN THE PREVENTION AND
CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
TO -THE
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
IN COMPLIANCE WITH
Public Law 91-604
THE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1970
MARCH 1972
MARCH 24, 1972.—Ordered to be printed
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
65-011 O WASHINGTON : 1972
-------
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
JENNINGS RANDOLPH, West Virginia, Chairman
EDMUND S, MUSKIE, Maine JOHN SHERMAN COOPER, Kentucky
B. EVERETT JORDAN, North Carolina J. CALEB BOOOS, Delaware
BIRCH BAYH, Indiana HOWARD H. BAKER, JR., Tennessee
JOSEPH M. MONTOYA, New Mexico ROBERT J. DOLE, Kansas
THOMAS F. EAOLETON, Missouri JAMBS L. BUCKLEY, New York
MIKE GRAVEL, Alaska ROBERT T. STAFFORD, Vermont
JOHN V. TUNNEY, California KARL E. MUNDT, North Dakota
LLOYD BENTSEN, Texas
M. BABRY MEYER, Chief Counsel and Chief Clerk
BAILEY GUARD, Minority Clerk; THOU AS C, JOBLING, Minority Counsel
JOSEPH F. VAN VLADRICKEN and LEON G. BILLINGS, Senior Staff Members
PHILIP T. CUMMINGS and DON ALEXANDER, Assistant Counsels
Professional and research staff: REBECCA BEAOBEOARD, HAROLD H. BRAYMAN, PAUL CHIMES,
FRANCES T. CLARK, KATHERINE Y. CUDLIPP, KATHALEEN R. E. FORCUM, ANN GARRABRANT,
RICHARD D. GRUNDY, RICHARD E. HEROD, CLARK NORTON, JUDY PARBNTB, DAVID SAMDOVAL,
SALLY WALKER, RICHARD W. WILSON, and JOHN W. YAGO, Jr.
SENATE RESOLUTION 278
Submitted by Mr. Randolph of West Virginia
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
March % 1972.
Resolved, That the annual report of the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency to the Congress of the[United
States (in compliance with section 313, Public Law 91-604, the Clean
Air Act Amendments of 1970) entitled "Progress in the Prevention
and Control of Air Pollution" be printed as a Senate document.
SEC. 2. There shall be printed two:thpusand five hundred additional
copies of such document for the use of the Committee OB Public Works.
Attest: 3 **• ,3* „ _
FRANCIS B. VALEO,
Secretary.
-------
CONTENTS
Page
Preface ii
Summary vii
The Progress and Problems Associated with Control
of Automotive Exhaust Emissions and Research
Efforts Related Thereto 1
The Development of Air Quality Criteria and
Recommended Emission Control Requirements 2
The Status of Enforcement Actions Taken
Pursuant to This Act 3
The Status of National Ambient Air Standards
Setting, Including Such Plans for Implementation
and Enforcement as Have Been Developed 5
The Extent of Development and Expansion of Air
Pollution Monitoring Systems 7
Progress and Problems Related to Development
of New and Improved Control Techniques 8
The Development of Quantitative and Qualitative
Instrumentation to Monitor Emissions and Air
Quality 10
Standards Set or Under Consideration Pursuant
to Title II (Emission Standards for Moving
Sources) of This Act 12
The Status of State, Interstate, and Local
Pollution Control Programs Established
Pursuant to and Assisted by This Act 13
The Reports and Recommendations Made by the
President's Air Quality Advisory Board 14
-------
PREFACE
The Clean Air Act, as amended, authorizes a national
program of air pollution research and control activities.
This program is conducted by the Environmental Protection
Agency.
This report describes progress the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency has made in 1971 toward the prevention and control
of air pollution.
It is submitted annually in accordance with Section 313
of the Clean Air Act, which reads as follows:
"Section 313. Not later than six months after the effec-
tive date of this section and not later than January 10
of each calendar year beginning after such date, the
Administrator shall report to the Congress on measures
taken toward implementing the purpose and intent of this
Act including but not limited to (1) the progress and
problems associated with control of automotive exhaust
emissions and the research efforts related thereto;
(2) the development of air quality criteria and
recommended emission control requirements; (3) the
status of enforcement actions taken pursuant to this
Act; (4) the status of State ambient air standards
setting, including such plans for implementation and
enforcement as have been developed; (5) the extent of
development and expansion of air pollution monitoring
systems; (6) progress and problems related to develop-
ment of new and improved control techniques; (7) the
development of quantitative and qualitative instrumenta-
tion to monitor emissions and air quality; (8) standards
set or under consideration pursuant to Title II of this
Act; (9) the status of State, interstate, and local
pollution control prograirs established pursuant to and
assisted by this Act; and (10) the reports and recommenda-
tions made by the President's Air Quality Advisory Board."
-------
SUMMARY
The Clean Air Act, as amended, authorizes the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) tc carry on a national program
of air pollution research and control activities. Among the
principal accomplishments of this program during the calendar
year 1971, the following were especially significant:
A prototype automobile engine that meets EPA's
1976 emission standards in initial tests has been
developed.
Proposed emission standards have been published
for three hazardous air pollutants.
New source performance standards have been
promulgated for five types of industrial sources
of air pollution.
EPA invoked emergency powers under the Clean
Air Act to restrain industry in Birmingham, Alabama,
to abate air pollution in that City. This was the
first time EPA has taken enforcement action under
the emergency powers of the Act.
National ambient air quality standards have been
published for six common classes of pollutants.
Guidelines to assist States in developing plans
to achieve the air quality standards have been
published.
Several demonstrations of techniques for con-
trolling sulfur oxides emissions are underway.
Regulations by which 1975 and 1976 model cars
will be judged for their compliance with the Clean
Air Act have been promulgated.
Portions of 21 regional air pollution control
plans for sulfur oxides and particulate matter have
been approved.
vii
-------
PROGRESS IN THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF
AIR POLLUTION
1. The Progress and Problems Associated with Control of
Automotive Exhaust Emissions and Research Efforts
Related Thereto1
A prototype stratified charge engine being developed
jointly by the U.S. Army and the Environmental Protection
Agency has met the EPA's 1976 emission standards in initial
tests. EPA and the Anry, together with private industry,
have been working on this program for the past two years.
The test engine, the first to be developed, is in a one-
quarter ton light truck. A light duty motor vehicle does
not fully meet the Federal emission standard until it has
demonstrated satisfactory reductions through its useful life.
It remains to be seen how well this engine will perform in
the durability tests. However, this engine, which is one
of three engine systems being worked on as part of the
Advanced Automotive Power Systems Program, is the cleanest
EPA has ever tested and represents a breakthrough in emissions
control technology. EPA assumed $260,000 of the $600,000 cost
of this program in Fiscal Year 1971 and has budgeted two mil-
lion dollars for the project in 1972, hoping to further reduce
emissions while maintaining acceptable fuel economies.
Other research on low emission vehicles is being carried
out under the Federal Clean Car Incentive Program. This
program is intended to stimulate the development by private
researchers of unconventional approaches to the initial 1975-
1976 auto enission objectives of the Clean Air Act, to pro-
vide data to assist EPA in evaluating the autc industry's
effort to meet those objectives, and to determine whether
more stringent emission reductions may be possible. The
first contracts to deliver prototype low-emission vehicles
for testing under this program were awarded during 1971.
The contracts are for the development of a lightweight,
diesel-powered vehicle, the exploration of a new approach to
catalytic puffier systems for conventional internal combustion
engines, and the development of a hybrid system using a heat
engine and electric battery combination. The contracts call
for delivery of a prototype vehicle and exhaust emission test
results, and provide options for EPA to lease the vehicle for
testing.
-------
EPA started operation this year of the first Federal
laboratory specifically designed for motor vehicle pollution
control activities. The laboratory, in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
is expected to play a vital role in the Federal Government's
efforts to insure a non-polluting automobile by 1975 and
in making the tests that are necessary before engines used
in automobiles, trucks, and buses can be certified as
meeting Federal air pollution control emission standards.
The EPA has published final regulations under which it
will be determined whether a motor vehicle qualifies as a
"low emission vehicle" for possible purchase by the Federal
Government at a premium price. Under the Clean Air Act,
the Government must purchase certified low emission vehicles
if their cost does not exceed 150 percent of the cost of
the vehicles for which they are to substitute. The new
regulations, which initially apply to 1973 and 1974 model
year vehicles, establish the emission limitations which
must be met, require that the vehicle may not emit any
dangerous pollutant not emitted by the vehicles it would
replace, and establish the emission test method as that
which will become effective for the 1975 model year.
Beginning in May of this year, EPA conducted public
hearings at which domestic and foreign automobile manu-
facturers were requested to describe their efforts to
develop systems to reduce automobile emissions. The
results of these hearings are described in EPA's report to
Congress of July 9, 1971 on the development of systems to
reduce automobile emissions and are intended to provide
information to assist in determining the feasibility of
producing low emission vehicles by 1975.
2. The Development of Air Quality Criteria and Recommended
Emission Control Requirements (for Stationary Sources)
Proposed emission standards have been published for three
hazardous air pollutants. The hazardous pollutants—asbestos,
beryllium, and mercury—are the first to be identified as
such under the 1970 Clean Air Amendments. The proposed
standards would apply to various types of facilities produc-
ing, manufacturing, or using these substances or products
containing them. Both existing and new plants would be
covered.
-------
Hearings on the proposed standards are scheduled for
January and February, 1972. The standard for each pollutant
will be made final by June, 1972,unless it is determined on
the basis of the information presented at the hearings that
the pollutant is clearly not a hazardous air pollutant.
Performance standards have been promulgated for steam
generators, sulfuric and nitric acid plants, cement plants,
and irunicipal incinerators. The standards are based on
capabilities of the best adequately demonstrated emission
reduction systems, taking into account the costs. The
standards apply primarily to new plants, but also to existing
plants which are modified in such a way as to increase or
alter the nature of their emissions. In developing these
standards, EPA conducted tests of existing sources, con-
sulted industry experts, studied published reports, and
considered available information on industrial practices in
the United States and abroad.
3. The Status of Enforcement Actions Taken Pursuant
to this "Ret
EPA, on November 18, 1971, invoked the emergency powers
provided under Section 303 of the Clean Air Act to require
industry in Birmingham, Alabama to abate air pollution in
that City. This was the first time that EPA has taken
enforcement action under emergency powers of the Act. The
Agency obtained restraining orders in U.S. District Court in
Birmingham to curtail the emission of air pollutants by 23
industries. The move was taken after it was determined that
levels of particulate ratter presented an imminent and sub-
stantial endangerment to the health of persons in the area.
The situation resulted from a combination of the normally
heavy volume of pollution from industrial sources, and
stagnant weather conditions that allowed the pollution to
build up over a period of several days. Appropriate State
and local authorities had diligently attempted to decrease
the particulate levels in the atmosphere. However, many
sources continued to discharge particulate matter in signi-
ficant quantities, and it was necessary, finally, for EPA to
use the emergency powers granted under the Act.
-------
Under the Clean Air Act, all trucks sold in the United
States must have a valid certificate attesting that the
engines meet applicable air pollution control standards.
Automobiles are subject to a similar requirement. In
January 1971, EPA revoked the conditional certification for
two heavy duty trucks manufactured by the Ford Motor Company
which did not meet the applicable hydrocarbon emission
standards. This revocation was the first such action since
exhaust testing was required of trucks in 1970. Pending
certification of the engines, Ford was required to stop sales
of the engines and modify any still in its hands before they
could be sold. Within one month of the revocation of certi-
fication, Ford completed appropriate modification of the
engines enabling them to meet the applicable standards and
qualify for certification.
The EPA requested the Department of Justice to sue an
automobile manufacturer for delivering on consignment some
1972 model cars and light duty trucks to dealers before
required emission tests were completed. The tests are
required to obtain certification that new motor vehicles
are in conformity with applicable Federal emission standards.
While the manufacturer took steps to minimize the danger
that uncertified vehicles would be driven or sold, the
company's shipment of automobiles and trucks to dealers
before certification makes enforcement of Federal standards
much more difficult inasmuch as the shipment was made prior
to any judgment as to probable compliance. The Department
of Justice's action resulted in the filing of a consent
decree by which Ford was permanently enjoined from shipping
prior to certification, and a payment of a civil penalty of
$10,000.00. Y
The Clean Air Act provides that any person may commence
a civil action against the EPA Administrator when there is
alleged a failure to perform any non-discretionary act or
duty prescribed in the Act. At least 60 days advance notice
must be given to the Administrator at the EPA headquarters in
Washington before such suits are filed. In 1971, the EPA
published rules for giving notice of civil suits against
alleged violators of standards and abatement orders under
the Act. The guidelines provide for the service of notice
of lawsuits to individual states, alleged violators, the
Administrator, and appropriate EPA regional administrators.
The guidelines say that such notices must identify the
complainant and describe with reasonable specificity the
act or failure to act, or in the case of alleged violators,
the violation, the location and the dates of such violations.
-------
A Federal interstate air pollution abatement conference
concerning pollution in the Mt. Storm and Keyser, West
Virginia, and Gorman and Luke, Maryland, area was held in
May of this year. The Conference was called under the Clean
Air Act, as amended, which calls for EPA to take such action
at the request of any State whose Governor alleges that
residents of his State are adversely affected by pollution
originating in another State. In this case, Maryland's
Governor requested a conference because of effects on ever-
green tree farms in Maryland of pollution alleged to
originate from a power plant in Mt. Storm, West Virginia.
Also, the Governor of West Virginia requested that the
conference consider other possible sources of air pollution
in the area, specifically a pulp and paper plant at Luke,
Maryland.
Recommendations for the control of interstate pollution
in the area involved were issued by EPA in October 1971 as a
consequence of the May conference. The recommendations were
effective immediately, and call for reduction of emissions of
sulfur oxides and particulate matter from the power and paper
plants, reduction of emissions of odorous sulfur compounds
from the pulp and paper plant, and provision for abating
emissions of particulate matter from several small sources
in the area. As prescribed by the Clean Air Act, EPA must
allow a period of at least six months for action to be taken
on these recommendations.
4. The Status of National Ambient Air Standards Setting,
Including Such Plans for Implementation and Enforcement
as Have Been De ve loped ~^~~~~~~~^^————
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set national ambient
air quality standards. In 1971 EPA promulgated final
national air quality standards for six common classes of
pollutants: sulfur oxides, particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, photochemical oxidants, nitrogen oxides, and
hydrocarbons. As required under the law, two types of
standards have been set: primary standards to protect the
public health, and secondary standards to protect against
adverse effects on property, animals, vegetation, materials,
visibility, and personal comfort and well being.
Under the Clean Air Act, the States must, by the end of
January, 1972, submit plans to achieve the national air
quality standards. During 1971, EPA promulgated guidelines
85-011 O - 72 - 2
-------
to be followed by the States in developing these plans.
The guidelines require States to provide for attainment and
maintenance of the national standards through the develop-
ment of air pollution control strategies which could include
the development of source emission limitations or other
measures, such as land-use and transportation control
measures.
State implementation plans also must include emergency
action plans designed to prevent significant harm to the
health of persons during high air pollution episodes. EPA
has defined, for five of the most common air contaminants,
the levels at which significant harm to the health of persons
can be expected to occur. The five pollutants are sulfur
dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, photochemical
oxidants, and nitrogen dioxide. State plans must provide for
action needed to assure that the significant-harm levels never
are reached.
In addition, EPŁ has listed seven specific kinds of
legislative authority that will be needed by State air
pollution control agencies to meet the requirements of the
Clean Air Act. The State air pollution control officials
must have authority to:
(1) Adopt emission standards and limitations and any
other measures necessary for attainment and maintenance
of national standards.
(2) Enforce applicable laws, regulations, and standards,
and seek injunctive relief.
(3) Abate pollutant emissions on an emergency basis
to prevent substantial endangerment to the health of
persons, i.e., authority comparable to that available
to the Administrator under Section 303 of the Act.
(4) Prevent construction, modification, or operation
of any stationary source at any location where emissions
from such source will prevent the attainment or maintenance
of a national standard.
(5) Obtain information necessary to determine whether
air pollution sources are in compliance with applicable
laws, regulations, and standards, including authority
to require recordkeeping and to nake inspections and
conduct tests of air pollution sources.
-------
(6) Require owners or operators of stationary sources
to install, maintain, and use emission monitoring devices
and to make periodic reports to the State on the nature
and amounts of emissions from such stationary sources;
also authority for the State to make such data available
to the public as reported and as correlated with any
applicable emission standards or limitations.
(7) VJhere a plan sets forth a control strategy that
provides for application of (1) inspection and testing
of motor vehicles and/or other transportation control
measures other than those referred to in (4), such plan
shall set forth the State's timetable for obtaining such
legal authority as may be necessary to carry out such
measures.
During 1971 EPA approved portions of 21 regional air
pollution control plans for sulfur oxides and particulate
matter. The plans were prepared by State governments prior
to the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970. However, the
approved portions include regulations for attainment and
maintenance of national primary (health-related) air quality
standards for particulate matter of sulfur oxides or both.
In some instances the plans also provide for the achievement
of the national secondary standards for these pollutants.
None of the State plans submitted for approval meets all the
requirements of the 1970 Clean Air Amendments.
It has been recognized that a number of States do not
have the resources to devise adequate implementation plans
by the required deadline. EPA accordingly contracted with
ten consulting firms, one serving each of the ten EPA regions,
to assist States in preparing plans on an on-call basis.
These companies were capable of completing all phases of
implementation plans, from emission source inventory to
recommending abatement schedules. Many States took advantage
of this source to assist them in meeting the requirements of
the 1970 Amendments.
5. The Extent of Development and Expansion of Air
Pollution Monitoring Systems
Weather stations at ten U.S. cities have been designated
"regional air pollution monitoring stations" in a network
that eventually will keep tabs on worldwide air quality.
-------
The National Weather Service, a component of the Commerce
Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
and the Air Pollution Control Office of the Environmental
Protection Agency will cooperate in the measurement and
analysis of atmospheric turbidity (particles in the air) and
precipitation chemistry (atmospheric impurities in rain or
snow). NOAA's Environmental Data Service will store the
information and disseminate it in this country and abroad.
To determine current levels of air pollution so that
meaningful control strategies can be developed that will
result in the national ambient air quality standards being
met, it is necessary to have a broad base of data on air
quality. Gathering and evaluating these data are tasks that
require a joint Federal-State-local effort. To this end,
EPA operates its own air monitoring network, and also
provides extensive support to State and local monitoring
activities.
State and local governments have the primary responsi-
bility for maintaining surveillance of air quality in their
areas of jurisdiction. Establishment and operation of air
monitoring networks are among the purposes for which program
grant funds provided by EPA can be used by State and local
agencies.
On August 14, 1971, EPA promulgated requirements to be
followed by the States in the preparation, adoption, and
submittal of implementation plans. One section of these
requirements specifies the minimum requirements that must b©
met by State air quality surveillance systems as part of their
implementation plans. Such systems must be completed and in
operation not later than two years after EPA approves the plan,
EPA has worked with the State and local agencies to evaluate
their present systems and to develop plans and schedules for
modifying and augmenting them where necessary. Once imple-
mentation plans have been submitted and adopted, States
during 1972 are expected to be able to accelerate expansion
of their monitoring activities.
6. Progress and Problems Related to Development of New
and Improved Control Techniques
During 1971, the research and development program for
stationary source air pollution control moved forward on a
broad front, toward the goal of developing and demonstrating
-------
technology in support of the EPA objective of meeting,
establishing, or enhancing pollution standards in an
economic and timely manner.
A major part of this effort was devoted to continuing
work on the large scale demonstrations of sulfur oxides
stack gas cleaning processes. The test program on dry
limestone injection has been in operation since mid-1970, on
a 140 megawatt boiler at the Shawnee power plant of TVA, and
will be completed early in 1972. The wet limestone scrubbing
project, also at Shawnee, is nearing completion of the con-
struction phase, and the two year test operations phase will
begin in March, 1972; various coirbinations of three different
scrubber configurations along with three different reactant
injection modes will be evaluated. Three other demonstrations
are presently under construction and are expected to begin
operation in mid 1972. These consist of a wet scrubbing
system using coral marl, a magnesium oxide scrubbing process,
and a catalytic oxidation process.
Work in advance processes has continued in the development
of fluidized bed combustion of coal in limestone as a means of
providing low-pollution, low-cost power. A 630 kilowatt high
pressure integrated plant has been designed with construction
to begin shortly; contract tests have been run in England on
a 0.6 megawatt unit at similar conditions. Another system,
the CAFB residual oil gasifier/desulfurizer, was operated
with sulfur removal close to 100 percent. Progress is also
being made in the planning and laboratory testing of several
other advanced systems. These systems, which are at an
earlier stage of development than the previously mentioned
ones, include a process to provide low-Btu, pollution free
gas from bituminous coal, and a molten iron submerged coal
gasification process.
Progress in the area of pollutant control by fuel
processing has also been made. The program on physical
desulfurization and de-ashing of coal has reached the point
where overall potential has been reasonably well established.
Major follow-on will be to finish the washability testing
already over 50 percent complete and undertake pilot and
demonstration activities on a promising new approach uncovered
in the work sponsored at the USBM for desulfurization and
cleaning of fine coal. A program has been initiated to inter-
face with other Federally sponsored fuel conversion projects
to undertake pollutant control evaluation and optimization.
-------
10
A new technique for chemical desulfurization of coal was
established and work initiated on the problem of hazardous
pollutants contained in fossil fuel.
In the industrial process area, progress has been made in
several areas. In the iron and steel industry, the primary
problem of controlling pollution from slot-type coke ovens
is nearer solution because of the AISI-EPA Smokeless Coke
Charging system demonstration, which is scheduled to go into
operation in the Spring of 1972. Available demonstration
approaches for controlling coke pushing emissions have been
identified, evaluated, and selected, other industrial
process demonstrations are in the contract negotiation or
development stage, including control of sinter plants,
Kraft pulping operations, iron foundries, and secondary
aluminum furnaces.
An R&D program to develop combustion modification
techniques and technology to control nitrogen oxides
emissions was planned and initiated. Although the program
is only in its infancy, preliminary results from field
testing of utility boilers and in-house studies show that
combustion modification is a generally applicable method to
significantly reduce NOx emissions. Major emphasis is on
coal combustion, but the program is designed to develop
technology applicable to all fuels and boiler classifica-
tions.
A small but increasingly active portion of the RSD
program was initiated in 1971; this activity is concerned
with air_pollution aspects of urban and transportation
planning.Recent legislation in several areas has stressed
the importance of environmental considerations in the planning
process, and a concerted effort is being mounted to provide
the necessary tools. Particularly important at this point
in time is the providing of guidelines to the states for the
development of their air quality implementation plans, with
regard to such items as traffic operations and highway
design and location.
7. The Development of Quantitative and Qualitative
Instrumentation to MonTtor Emissions and Air Quality
EPA's instrument development program has grown con-
siderably. The availability of the resulting instruments
enhances the ability of States and local agencies to maintain
their surveillance of air quality, with demonstrated assurance
that the data generated will be representative of the con-
centrations of the pollutants measured.
-------
11
An EPA-developed instrument for measuring ozone, an
important constituent of photochemical smog, has come into
general use. Because of its ability to operate for long
periods without any need for maintenance or recalibration,
this instrument has grown rapidly in popularity, until it
is now made and sold by a half-dozen domestic manufacturers
and at least cne overseas.
A second instrument that has emerged from EPA's labora-
tories measures nitric oxide (an important smog-forming gas
found in automobile and other exhaust) by electronically
sensing the faint light generated in its reaction with
ozone. Five manufacturers now offer nitric oxide analyzers
sufficiently sensitive to respond reliably even to low
levels of this important pollutant.
EPA's instrument development group has further modified
its nitric oxide analyzer by adding a catalytic converter
that changes nitrogen dioxide into nitric oxide, thus making
possible the measurement of "NOx", jargon for the sum of the
concentrations of the two gases. Parallel measurements of
NO and NOx, subtracting the one from the other, provide the
analyst with the ability to measure nitrogen dioxide, which
is generally thought to be more important from the health
aspect.
Following the enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments
of 1970, with its shift of'emphasis toward the measurement
and control of pollutants at their sources, there has come an
increasing awareness that at least for some time to come most
source measurements will be made by adapting existing instru-
ments, such as those described above, to the task. Because
the levels of pollutants to be measured at sources are thousands
of times higher than those for which the instruments were
designed, a reliable dilution system was required. One such
system, with the added advantages of totally removing solids
such as soot or fly ash and of operating without moving parts,
was invented by an EPA scientist and is being evaluated both
by EPA and by several instrument makers.
Through an interagency agreement with the Atomic Energy
Commission, EPA is funding the development of an X-Ray
instrument that will permit the rapid measurement of a
large number of trace metals occurring in airborn particles.
This research will eventually result in field instruments
that will permit detailed studies of the occurrence of many
metallic and non-metallic elements in polluted air.
-------
12
EPA is also supporting an effort at the National Bureau
of Standards in air pollution measurement technology. For
example, NBS has worked with EPA to develop a method for
certification of sulfur dioxide permeation tubes for on-site
calibration of monitoring devices. Similar calibration
devices for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozone are
planned with EPA support.
In fulfilling its mission of recommending measurement
methods and instruments to the states and local agencies,
EPA has undertaken a major program of methods standardization.
An important segment of this program involves the establish-
ment of a laboratory or instrumental method as being
"equivalent to", that is, producing the same analytical
result when examining the same sample, as a specified stan-
dard method.
8. Standards Set or Under Consideration Pursuant to Title II
(Emission Standards for Moving Sources) of This Act
Final regulations by which 1975 and 1976 model cars will
be judged for their compliance with the Clean Air Act of
1970 were promulgated this year.
Major provisions include:
— Standards for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
beginning with the 1975 model year. These would
limit emissions to 3.4 grams of carbon monoxide
and 0.41 grains of hydrocarbons per vehicle mile.
By comparison, allowable emissions from 1970
automobiles were 34.0 grams of carbon monoxide
and 4.1 grams of hydrocarbons per vehicle mile.
The 90% reduction in permissible levels is
called for in the Clean Air Act.
— A new exhaust emission standard for nitrogen
oxides, which will limit emissions to 3.0 grams
per vehicle mile beginning with the 1973 model
year. This will be the first Federal limit placed
on emissions of nitrogen oxides from motor vehicles.
By comparison, emissions from 1971 cars that are
not equipped with nitrogen oxides control systems
are 4.0 grams per vehicle mile.
— A further reduction in the nitrogen oxides limit
to 0.4 grams per vehicle mile beginning with the
1976 model year.
-------
13
Changes in the present EPA testing procedure,
beginning with the 1975 model year, which will more
accurately reflect the driving experience of the
motor vehicle population in major urban areas.
The standards announced provide for a 90% reduction in
the levels of auto emissions, as required by the Clean Air
Act.
The EPA has also issued final regulations to require auto
makers to provide instructions for the proper maintenance of
air pollution control systems. The regulations, which were
originally proposed on May 11, 1971, would begin to take
effect in the 1972 model year, although their main provisions
would not be effective until the 1973 model year.
The Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to ensure that motor
vehicles remain in compliance with Federal emission standards
throughout the vehicle's useful life.
The new regulations define "useful life" as follows:
— For light-duty vehicles, five years or 50,000
miles.
For heavy-duty gasoline engines, five years or
50,000 miles.
For heavy-duty diesel engines, five years or
100,000 miles.
The regulations applicable to maintenance instructions
would require manufacturers to provide information on the
maintenance of exhaust, crankcase, and evaporative-emission
control systems, and on ways to identify and correct mal-
functions in those systems.
9. The Status of State, Interstate, and Local Pollution
Control Programs Established Pursuant to and Assiste'd
by This Act
EPA provides technical assistance to States in the
adoption and subrcittal of plans to implement national ambient
air quality standards as authorized by the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1970. EPA provides direct technical assistance
to control agencies, including assistance in development of
air quality monitoring systems, emissions inventories, plans
for effective enforcement of standards, land use and transpor-
tation controls, control regulations, and emergency episode
-------
14
plans. In the third quarter of Fiscal Year 1972, after all
implementation plans have been submitted, emphasis will shift
to insuring that States carry out the plans.
EPA also provides financial support to State and local
control agency programs. Table I summarizes this support
for Fiscal Years 1971 and 1972. Totals for each State
reflect grants awarded to State and local agencies.
The Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with
State and local air pollution control agencies, has begun a
study in more than 30 urban air quality control regions to
determine existing levels of automobile-related air pollu-
tants .
The study is intended to provide base data for the
design of State plans to achieve the national air quality
standards for carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidant (ozone),
and nitrogen dioxide, as required by the Clean Air Act.
The study, involving the use of more than $500,000 worth
of new instruments operated by special trained local techni-
cians, began on July 1, 1971. Air quality data are trans-
mitted daily to a centralized collection point where they
are validated, computer-summarized, and returned to coopera-
ting State agencies.
Regions in the study are urban areas where complete
measurements are not routinely being made by the EPA, or
State or local pollution control agencies.
10. The Reports and Recommendations Made by the President's
Air Quality Advisory Board
The President's Air Quality Advisory Board met twice
during 1971, on February 1 and on July 8-9. The Board
advised the Administrator at the February 1 meeting, the
first meeting of the Board since the establishment of EPA,
on the advisory functions of the Board, public information
policies of EPA, voluntary compliance by polluters, and
public participation in the meetings of the Board. In a
letter to the EPA Administrator, as a result of the
deliberations at the July 8-9 meeting and the discussion
with him at that meeting, the Board recommended the follow-
ing: (a) the expansion and emphasis of the EPA health effects
research program for better scientific and public knowledge
-------
15
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF GRANTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL CONTROL AGENCY PROGRAMS
1971 1972
State or Territory Air Air
Alabama ................ $43,203 $405,926
Alaska ................. 55,466 61,387
Arizona ................ 347,500 347,500
Arkansas ............... 90,152 269,884
California ............. 2,870,044 4,134,262
Colorado ............... 522,000 522,000
Connecticut ............ 530,869 770,512
Delaware ............... 205,112 231,932
District of Colurrbia... 234,134 234,134
Florida ................ 949,918 1,113,975
Georgia ................ 552,829 801,798
Hawaii ................. 27,605 60,695
Idaho .................. 64,937 127,634
Illinois ............... 1,468,457 2,337,857
Indiana ................ 512,615 1,142,721
Iowa ................... 215,112 470,426
Kansas ................. 141,324 296,999
Kentucky ............... 535,614 670,413
Louisiana .............. 183,916 487,649
Maira .................. 74,093 202,273
Maryland ............... 1,426,251 1,426,251
Massachusetts .......... €98,009 1,129,922
Michigan ............... 1,533,572 2,150,442
Minnesota .............. 447,798 648,428
Mississippi ............ 95,359 290,416
Missouri ............... 772,226 956,945
!*?tan* ................ 135,086 186,985
Nebraska ............... 133,408 211,694
IS73?"": ............ 163,000 163,000
New Hampshire .......... 55,869 130,409
1,587,669 2,053,369
J"?00 ............. 257,558 257,558
York. .. ........... 2,836,675 4,178,741
North Carolina ......... 620,180 965,362
North Dakota ........... 21,456 65,343
-------
16
TABLE 1 Cont.
106,473 188675
345'623
33,441 64,441
801,281 881,045
1,426,216 2,038,558
101,551 133,944
59,920 84,302
Virginia ............... 478,067 722,294
Washington ............. 1,125,000 1,125,000
West Virginia .......... 256 ,462 376 ,631
Wisconsin .............. 199,494 701,071
Wycming ................ 33,536 53,041
American Samoa ......... 219 3 005
^x™ ---- ; .............. 10,823 2l!272
Puerto Rico. .......... 149,310 254,850
Virgin Islands ......... 39 181 41 4?9
Total 30,200,000 42,900,000
-------
17
and for appropriate and timely revision of regulatory
standards; (b) the encouragement and funding within EPA
of the efforts to quantify the benefits of air pollution
control in relation to air pollution damages and costs of
control as an aid to presenting future decisions concerned
with supporting control activities and paying for the costs
of control; and (c) the maintenance of EPA public informa-
tion and community support activities to provide knowledge
and understanding of air pollution control problems.
o
------- |