Figure 7. Estimated PM2.5 DVs(μg/m3) throughout the South Coast Air Basin Source: EPRI (2020)
4. Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Strategies in the U.S. 4.1 Federal Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Strategies 4.1.1 Overview The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) is the main framework of both air pollution and GHG emissions in the U.S. The law authorizes the U.S. EPA to establish the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six air pollutants (“criteria pollutants''): particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), ozone, SO2, NO2, carbon monoxide (CO), and lead. The U.S. EPA periodically updates the standards based on the latest scientific evidence.21 As discussed above, A. Wang et al. provides a comprehensive assessment of Federal, state, and local air quality regulation in California. In 2009, EPA concluded that GHG including CO2, methane, N2O, and f-gases endanger public health and welfare, making itself responsible for the regulation of GHG emissions.22 This finding allowed the U.S. EPA to develop GHG emission standards for light-duty vehicles jointly with the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to the existing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.23 The Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) leads efforts to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable generation at the federal level. It provides funding to research, especially early-stage research, on emerging energy technologies 21
Wang, A., Shen, S. and Pettit, D. (2020). Coordinated Governance of Air & Climate Pollutants: Lessons from the California Experience. UCLA School of Law Emmett Institute of Climate Change & the Environment. https://law.ucla.edu/news/coordinated-governance-air-climate-pollutants-lessons-california-experience 22 United States Environmental Protection Agency. Air Pollution: Current and Future Challenges. https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/air-pollution-current-and-future-challenges 23 United States Environmental Protection Agency. Regulations for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Passenger Cars and Trucks. https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/regulations-greenhouse-gasemissions-passenger-cars-and
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