Clean Air Act (United States)
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The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the United States' primary federal air quality law, intended to reduce and control air pollution nationwide. Initially enacted in 1963 and amended many times since, it is one of the United States' first and most influential modern environmental laws.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the 1967 Air Quality Act in the East Room of the White House, November 21, 1967.
President Richard Nixon signs the Clean Air Amendments of 1970 at the White House, December 31, 1970.
President George H. W. Bush signs the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 at the White House, November 15, 1990.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. The order establishing the EPA was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate.
Stacks emitting smoke from burning discarded automobile batteries, photo taken in Houston in 1972 by Marc St. Gil, official photographer of recently founded EPA
Same smokestacks in 1975 after the plant was closed in a push for greater environmental protection
Ruckelshaus sworn in as first EPA Administrator
Headquarters of the EPA at the William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building