Local Air Pollution Control in the USA: Potential Lessons for the Introduction of Air Quality Management Areas and Action Plans in the UK

Abstract

During the 1990s air quality re-emerged as an important environmental policy issue in the UK. Particular concern is now being focused on vehicle emissions, which are creating significant health problems for vulnerable populations in urban areas. National air quality standards have now been established and where these are not being met, under section 82 of the Environment Act 1995, local authorities are obliged to designate Air Quality Management Areas and institute appropriate remedial measures. This approach echoes that taken in the USA since the 1970s, where non-compliant areas have been designated as non-attainment areas, and state and local governments have prepared state implementation plans and attainment plans in response. This paper provides an overview of the institutional arrangements for the control of air pollution at the local level in the USA and considers the extent to which these provide possible lessons for the new arrangements in the UK.