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Air Pollution: EPA's Ambient Air Policy Results in Additional Pollution

RCED-89-144 Published: Jul 26, 1989. Publicly Released: Aug 17, 1989.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) use of pollution concentration estimates obtained from air quality dispersion models in carrying out its responsibilities under the Clean Air Act, focusing on whether EPA policies: (1) on ambient air quality resulted in approval of increased emissions; and (2) ensured the consistent use of air quality models in regulatory decisions.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Environmental Protection Agency In light of the: (1) significant environmental consequences of the EPA policy which allowed increased emissions; and (2) feasibility of an alternative interpretation of ambient air boundaries which restricts the size of nonambient air, the Administrator, EPA, should initiate a formal rulemaking process to redefine ambient air in a manner that is more protective of the environment.
Closed – Implemented
EPA disagrees with the recommendation and does not believe its definition of ambient air needs to be reevaluated to offer greater protection to the environment. Should land acquisition result in an adverse impact on air quality in the future, EPA will reevaluate the need for additional restrictions.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should review, and where necessary, revise the modelling guidelines to more clearly and precisely identify and prohibit unacceptable practices such as model calibration.
Closed – Implemented
EPA has developed a change to its guidelines on Air Quality Models that deal with the model calibration issue.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should consider the need for a review of modelling performed by EPA regions and state and local air pollution control agencies to determine whether they are uniformly and consistently applying the modelling policies and procedures. If such a review detects inconsistent application of the modelling policies and procedures, then the Administrator should initiate corrective actions as deemed appropriate.
Closed – Implemented
EPA did not agree to review the modelling performed by its regions. However, it agreed to reemphasize the importance of its modelling program and promote the use of consistent modelling procedures.

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Topics

Air pollution controlComputer modelingEnvironmental lawEnvironmental policiesIndustrial pollutionNoncompliancePollution monitoringReal property acquisitionRegulatory agenciesStandards evaluationAir quality