Did the Clean Air Act establish a cap-and-trade program for SO2?

The sulphur dioxide (SO2) allowance-trading programme established under Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) was the world’s first large-scale pollutant cap-and-trade system.

Did cap-and-trade reduce sulfur dioxide and acid rain problems in the US?

Results. Sulfur emissions went down faster than predicted and at one-fourth of the projected cost. Since its launch, cap and trade for acid rain has been regarded widely as highly effective at solving the problem in a flexible, innovative way.

How does the EPA allowance trading work for sulfur dioxide trading?

For example, in EPA’s Acid Rain Program, each allowance authorizes a source to emit one ton of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Once an affected source has an allowance, the source can decide whether to use it for compliance, trade it in the allowance market, or save that allowance for compliance in the future.

What is the US sulfur dioxide program?

The Acid Rain Program is a market-based initiative taken by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to reduce overall atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain.

What two pollutants pose the greatest threat to human?

Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.

Which type of pollution control is most difficult?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, and particulates (aerosols). Of these six pollutants, ozone has proved the most difficult to control.

What produces more than two thirds of sulfur dioxide emissions?

Coal-burning power plants and oil-producing companies produce more than two-thirds of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Which is the most toxic air pollutant?

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are less than 0.1 microns in diameter and make up roughly 90% of all airborne particles. UFPs are the most dangerous particulate matter because their tiny size makes them extremely inhalable.

What is the best air quality index?

AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy: at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher.

What was the US sulphur dioxide cap and Trade Programme?

The US sulphur dioxide cap and trade programme and lessons for climate policy The sulphur dioxide (SO 2) allowance-trading programme established under Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) was the world’s first large-scale pollutant cap-and-trade system. (‘Allowance trading’ and ‘cap-and-trade’ are synonymous.)

How does the California cap and trade program work?

Cap-and-Trade Program. The Cap-and-Trade Program is a key element of California’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It complements other measures to ensure that California cost-effectively meets its goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

How is carbon dioxide a target for cap and trade?

Carbon dioxide and related pollutants that drive global warming are main targets of such caps. Other pollutants that contribute to smog can also be capped. In carbon dioxide’s case, the heat-trapping greenhouse gas mixes into the upper atmosphere and has a global effect.

How does the so 2 allowance system work?

The allowance trading system includes low-cost rules of exchange that tailor EPA’s administrative role and facilitate allowance trading as a viable compliance strategy for reducing SO 2. Under this system, EPA sets a cap on overall emissions. SO 2 allowances are then allocated to affected units serving generators greater than 25 megawatts.