Skip common site navigation and headers
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Air & Radiation
Begin Hierarchical Links EPA Home > Air & Radiation > Acid Rain End Hierarchical Links
Tools & Technical Info
  AIRNow
  Emissions Trading
  Air Data & Maps
  Green Vehicles
  TTN - Technology
    Transfer Network


 

Acid Rain

Air Quality Shows Continued Improvement

[September 15, 2003] New acid rain data, as well as EPA's Annual Air Trends Report, both released today, show steady and significant air quality improvement. This environmental progress comes even as the country has experienced a 164 percent increase in gross domenstic product, a 42 percent increase in energy consumption and a 155 percent increase in vehicle miles traveled.



Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the U.S. and Canada. This section of the Web site provides information about acid rain's causes and effects, how we measure acid rain, and what is being done to solve the problem under EPA's Acid Rain Program. The Acid Rain Program, run by the Clean Air Markets Division, requires major reductions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions (the key components of acid rain) from electric utilities, while establishing a new approach to environmental protection through the use of market incentives. This nationwide cap-and-trade method of regulation has resulted in significant environmental progress and cost savings, focusing worldwide attention on the Acid Rain Program model.


Clean Air Market Programs Clean Air Market Programs



What's New? | Where do I start? | Publications | Contact Info | CAMD Site Map | Glossary

 

Begin Site Footer

Frequently Asked Questions | Technical Information

 
Begin Site Footer

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us