How the change works
- 01 / Public decision
Limits and monitoring
- 02 / Physical change
Appropriate plants and fuels
- 03 / Possible outcome
Less precursors to acid rain
A limit works when plants measure what they emit and respond to compliance with the rules.
Research and local documents ↓What the evidence tells us
The Acid Rain Program combines limits and monitoring. The EPA series document strong reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the electricity sector.
Putting the choices into practice
Rule
The challengeLimits without measure
The responseMeasured emissions
Verification
The challengeData not comparable
The responseDeclared units
Attribution
The challengeEverything under a single law
The responseAlso later rules and energy changes
The diagram compares choices and conditions for putting them into practice. Measured outcomes and their limits are discussed in the evidence.
Research and local documents ↓Conditions and limits
The change also reflects subsequent regulations and industry transformations. US short tons are not metric tons.
Other possible benefits
Benefits for air and ecosystems exposed to deposition.
Research and local documents
- Local project or policy documentUS EPA · Power Sector Progress Report: Emissions Reductions ↗
Institutional documentation of the program, territory or rules mentioned.
- Local project or policy documentUS EPA · Acid Rain Program Results ↗
Institutional documentation of the program, territory or rules mentioned.
