The Air Pollution Control Program works with federal and local governments to improve Missouri’s air quality for all citizens. One of the primary ways we do this is through the federal and state regulations. The federal Clean Air Act was enacted in 1970. The comprehensive federal law regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants by setting standards. Much of the authority to implement these standards is then delegated to each state.
Missouri’s Air Conservation Law (Chapter 643, RSMo) ensures the state’s air quality meets federal standards. The department issues air emission permits to make sure sources of air pollution meet all federal and state regulations. We inspect facilities and ensure compliance with these regulations, receive emissions data from facilities, monitor air quality and develop state implementation plans to ensure Missouri will meet federal standards for six criteria pollutants.