PA Emissions Inspector Certification Practice Exam

What significant law did Congress enact to address air quality?

1. National Energy Policy Act

2. Clean Air Act

3. Safe Drinking Water Act

4. Environmental Protection Act

The correct answer is: Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act is the significant law that Congress enacted to address air quality. This comprehensive federal law was first passed in 1963 and has been amended several times since then. Its primary purpose is to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources, as well as to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that are intended to protect public health and the environment. The act empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set and enforce standards for air quality, ensuring that states and localities adhere to regulations that work to reduce pollutants, control emissions, and support public health initiatives. Through its various provisions, the Clean Air Act has played a crucial role in significantly improving air quality across the United States. In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of environmental regulation or public health but do not specifically target air quality management as the Clean Air Act does.