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Programs and Regulations
Clean air markets include various market-based regulatory programs designed to improve air quality. These programs focus on lowering outdoor concentrations of fine particles, mercury, ozone, and other significant air emissions. The most well-known of these programs are EPA’s Acid Rain Program and the NOx Trading Programs, which reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)–compounds produced by fossil fuel combustion.
More Information
Current Programs
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Acid Rain Program
The goal of the Acid Rain Program is to achieve significant environmental and public health benefits through reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the primary causes of acid rain. -
NOx Trading Programs
The goal of the NOx Budget Trading Program is to reduce the transport of ground-level ozone across large distances. The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) NOx Budget Program was implemented from 1999 to 2002 and was replaced by the NOx Budget Trading Program—also known as the “NOx SIP Call”—in 2003. -
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR)
The goal of the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) is to permanently cap emissions of SO2 and NOx in the eastern U.S. States must achieve the required emission reductions using one of two compliance options: (1) meet the state’s emission budget by requiring power plants to participate in an EPA-administered interstate cap and trade system, or (2) meet an individual state emissions budget through measures of the state’s choosing.
International Efforts
Evaluation Tools and Studies
- EPA Modeling Applications Using The Integrated Planning Model (IPM)
The Integrated Planning Model (IPM) is a key analytical tool in evaluating the economic and environmental impacts of environmental programs on the electric power sector. - Multi-Pollutant Analyses and Technical Support Documents
Summarizes the detailed analyses conducted by EPA for various multi-pollutant legislative proposals including CAIR. Also included are analyses of EPA's regulatory approach to reducing emissions from the power sector. - U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
The U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory is an annual collection of data on the primary anthropogenic sources and sinks of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). - Data and Maps
This page provides access to a variety of data associated with emissions trading programs. Access the data through reports, queries, maps, charts, or file downloads. - Progress Reports
These reports provide information on compliance with the Clean Air Markets programs. - See also: CAMD Assessment and Tools