Clean Air Act Compliance: A Critical Imperative for the Manufacturing Sector

The Clean Air Act (CAA) has been a cornerstone of environmental policy in the United States for over five decades, instrumental in reducing air pollution and improving public health. Despite the progress that has been made, the manufacturing sector remains a significant source of emissions, and compliance with CAA regulations is paramount.

The State of Clean Air Act Compliance in the Manufacturing Sector

A recent report highlighted Clean Air Act compliance's top manufacturing sector offenders in 2023. Petroleum products manufacturing led the list, with 1,410 notices of violation (NOVs) issued. The chemical industry followed, with 770 NOVs, and received the most penalties (231). The nonmetallic mineral products industry ranked third, with 137 penalties. Industries like computer and electronics, leather, and apparel manufacturing received the fewest NOVs relative to the number of businesses in their subsector.

Clean Air Act Statistics

According to the EPA's Air Trends Report, air pollutants have significantly reduced since 1970. Carbon monoxide levels have decreased by 79%, lead levels have decreased by 87% since 2010, and nitrogen dioxide levels have decreased by 62%. Despite this progress, the American Lung Association's "State of the Air" 2024 report found that 39% of the U.S. population—131.2 million—live in communities with unhealthy air pollution levels.

The EPA has reported that new passenger vehicles are 98-99% cleaner for most tailpipe pollutants compared to the 1960s, demonstrating the success of the CAA in reducing vehicle emissions. Furthermore, toxic air releases decreased by 26%, or 204 million pounds, from 2013 to 2022.

The Importance of Clean Air Act Compliance

The Clean Air Act is the primary federal law governing air pollution. It requires the EPA to establish minimum national standards for air quality and assigns primary responsibility to the states to assure compliance with these standards. The EPA's Clean Air Act Compliance program addresses general compliance with regulations associated with discharges to the outdoor air.

The importance of CAA compliance must be balanced. Since its bipartisan beginnings, this bedrock law has helped keep our air clean, combat climate change, and protect public health. The Clean Air Act has reduced air pollution by 62 percent, and Americans live healthier, longer lives.

The Impact of the Clean Air Act on the Manufacturing Industry

The Clean Air Act has had a profound impact on the manufacturing industry. The law establishes federal standards for mobile sources of air pollution and their fuels and sources of 187 hazardous air pollutants. It created emissions standards for pollution sources, leading industrial facilities to install pollution control technologies and automakers to produce cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The CAA requires each state government to devise its plan for achieving and sustaining compliance with the standards.

The manufacturing sector has had to adapt to these regulations, investing in pollution control technologies and changing their operations to reduce emissions. While this has imposed costs on the industry, it has also led to significant environmental and public health benefits.

The Role of the Manufacturing Industry in Air Pollution

The manufacturing industry plays a significant role in air pollution. Industrial processes and activities generate emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide, ammonia, mercury, and carbon dioxide, which pollute water, air, and land. The manufacturing industry significantly contributes to global air pollution, with industrial emissions releasing hazardous waste fumes. Airborne dust particles from industrial processes can contribute to environmental pollution, detrimentally affecting air quality and ecosystems.

The manufacturing sector emits carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that cause global warming. It burns fossil fuels for energy, and it produces process emissions while manufacturing materials like cement and steel. Of the 76.6% of U.S. emissions driven by manufacturing production, 17% is directly attributed to the manufacturing sector.

Clean Air Act Violations in 2024

Despite the importance of CAA compliance, violations still occur. In 2024, the EPA resolved several enforcement cases related to vehicle and engine emissions. In September 2024, the U.S. agreed with COBB Tuning Products to resolve Clean Air Act violations. Ovintiv USA agreed to pay a $5.5 million penalty and upgrade facilities in Utah to resolve Clean Air Act violations in September 2024.

Common violations of the Clean Air Act include:

• Installing new equipment or modifying equipment without a permit.

• Failing to operate or maintain Air Pollution Control Equipment.

• Failing to comply with federal regulations even when following a state air permit.

In December 2023, the maximum monetary civil penalties for violations of air, water, chemical, and hazardous waste programs increased.

Leveraging Technology to Simplify Clean Air Act Reporting

Complying with the Clean Air Act requires rigorous reporting and record-keeping. Fortunately, technology can simplify this process. Various digital tools and platforms are available to help companies in the manufacturing sector track emissions, monitor compliance, and submit required reports.

Parakeet is one such solution. This financial and environmental reporting platform allows companies to track and manage their environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions. With Parakeet, businesses can collect data from various sources, calculate emissions, and generate reports in compliance with regulatory requirements. The platform's automated workflows and real-time dashboards provide visibility into environmental performance, enabling companies to make data-driven decisions to reduce their footprint.

In addition to Parakeet, several other technologies can aid in Clean Air Act compliance. Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS) are software platforms that help organizations track and manage environmental data. EMIS can monitor emissions, manage permits, and generate compliance reports. Some EMIS also offer features like automated alerts for reporting deadlines and noncompliance incidents.

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) are another technology that can support Clean Air Act compliance. CEMS are systems installed at emission sources (e.g., stacks, vents) that continuously collect data on emission concentrations. These systems provide real-time data on emissions, enabling companies to identify any exceedances of permit limits quickly.

Furthermore, data analytics tools can be leveraged to gain insights from the large amounts of data generated through environmental monitoring and reporting. By analyzing trends and patterns in emissions data, companies can identify opportunities to optimize processes and reduce emissions.

Conclusion

Mining, refining, manufacturing, food processing, agriculture distribution, and logistics require emissions. The Clean Air Act intends to help curb these necessary emissions so the reality of emissions and the necessity for items can live harmoniously. However, the cost of complying with these regulations is staggering, and technology solutions like Parakeet help manufacturers comply while reducing their costs towards regulatory compliance.