Isn nonattainment meant to protect public health and the environment?
Yes, the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) created the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to ensure healthy air for all citizens. Nonattainment is the method of enforcing the NAAQS. The EAC is aligned with the intent of the CAA; its ultimate goal is to achieve clean air as soon as possible. In fact, the EAC has an even more expeditious timeline than is expected under EPA’s 8-hour nonattainment rulemaking.
