Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing the Clean Air Act (CAA)?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Clean Air Act (CAA). This act was established to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources and to ensure that air quality standards are met across the United States. The EPA’s role involves implementing and enforcing regulations that aim to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of air pollution. The agency conducts monitoring, research, and various programs to maintain compliance with the CAA, demonstrating its pivotal role in environmental protection related to air quality.

In contrast, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses primarily on working conditions and employee safety in the workplace, rather than on air quality or environmental issues. The Department of Labor (DOL) oversees labor laws and workforce policies, which do not pertain specifically to environmental regulations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is primarily concerned with disaster response and recovery rather than routine environmental regulation and enforcement. Each of these agencies has distinct roles, but the enforcement of the Clean Air Act clearly falls under the purview of the EPA.