PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

Congress says acid precipitation from non-natural sources can pollute natural and built water systems, harm crops and forests, damage fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, corrode metals, wood, paint, and masonry, hurt public health, and travel far from where it starts so it can be a national and international problem. The law requires studying what causes acid precipitation and how it affects the environment, society, and the economy. Using that research and under existing law, it aims to limit or stop the emissions that cause acid precipitation and to fix or reduce the harm. Acid precipitation means acid chemical compounds that fall from the air as wet or dry deposits.

Title 42, §8901

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Congressional statement of findings and purpose

The Congress finds and declares that acid precipitation resulting from other than natural sources—

(1)could contribute to the increasing pollution of natural and man-made water systems;

(2)could adversely affect agricultural and forest crops;

(3)could adversely affect fish and wildlife and natural ecosystems generally;

(4)could contribute to corrosion of metals, wood, paint, and masonry used in construction and ornamentation of buildings and public monuments;

(5)could adversely affect public health and welfare; and

(6)could affect areas distant from sources and thus involve issues of national and international policy.

(b)Congressional declaration of purpose

The Congress declares that it is the purpose of this subchapter—

(1)to identify the causes and sources of acid precipitation;

(2)to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic effects of acid precipitation; and

(3)based on the results of the research program established by this subchapter and to the extent consistent with existing law, to take action to the extent necessary and practicable (A) to limit or eliminate the identified emissions which are sources of acid precipitation, and (B) to remedy or otherwise ameliorate the harmful effects which may result from acid precipitation.

(c)“Acid precipitation” defined

For purposes of this subchapter the term “acid precipitation” means the wet or dry deposition from the atmosphere of acid chemical compounds.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

section 701 of title VII Pub. L. 96–294 provided that: “This title [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Acid Precipitation Act of 1980’.”

§8901 Introductory Provisions

Summary

Title 42, §8901

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

Citations & Metadata