Looking Back at 50 Years of the Clean Air Act

89 Pages Posted: 28 Jan 2020 Last revised: 2 Jun 2024

See all articles by Joseph E. Aldy

Joseph E. Aldy

Harvard Kennedy School; National Bureau of Economic Research; Resources for the Future; Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)

Max Auffhammer

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics; University of California, Berkeley - Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics

Maureen Cropper

University of Maryland - Department of Economics; Resources for the Future

Arthur G. Fraas

Resources for the Future

Richard D. Morgenstern

Resources for the Future

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 2020

Abstract

We synthesize and review retrospective analyses of federal air quality regulations to examine the contributions of the Clean Air Act to the vast air quality improvements seen since 1970. Geographic heterogeneity in stringency affects emissions, public health, compliance costs, and employment. Cap-and-trade has delivered greater emission reductions at lower cost than conventional mandates, yet has fallen short of textbook ideals. Market power also influenced the CAA’s benefits and costs. New benefit categories have been identified ex post, but specific technology requirements have not yet been rigorously evaluated. Comparisons of aggregate benefits and costs of the CAA are beyond present capabilities.

Suggested Citation

Aldy, Joseph E. and Auffhammer, Maximilian and Auffhammer, Maximilian and Cropper, Maureen L. and Fraas, Arthur G. and Morgenstern, Richard D., Looking Back at 50 Years of the Clean Air Act (January 2020). NBER Working Paper No. w26687, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3525928

Joseph E. Aldy (Contact Author)

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Resources for the Future

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Maximilian Auffhammer

University of California, Berkeley - Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics ( email )

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Maureen L. Cropper

University of Maryland - Department of Economics ( email )

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Resources for the Future ( email )

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Arthur G. Fraas

Resources for the Future ( email )

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Richard D. Morgenstern

Resources for the Future ( email )

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