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Cap And Trade Programs Under The Clean Air Act: Lessons From The Clean Air Interstate Rule And The Nox Sip Call, Patricia Ross Mccubbin

Patricia Ross McCubbin

The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), adopted in 2005, was well recognized as the most important rule to improve air quality adopted by the Bush Administration. To alleviate high levels of smog and soot east of the Mississippi, the rule capped harmful emissions in 28 states, but allowed regulated facilities to participate in an emissions trading program. Such cap and trade programs have become a favored tool for EPA and many other parties because they allow industries to meet environmental goals cost-effectively. CAIR received widespread support from many quarters. States and environmental organizations viewed the rule as a good step …