Local, Regional, and State Air Pollution Control

Air pollution control activities at the city, county, and regional governmental level have been going on for many years. Activities have increased markedly in the past 5 yr, because of the stimulatory effect of Federal financial grants for development and establishment of governmental air pollution programs. Presently, there are about 135 local and regional governmental programs with a total annual budget in excess of $15,000,000. The quality of these programs is inadequate because of a lack of adequate funds for program operation. The first state air pollution control program came into being in 1952. Today (1967) only a few states are engaged in regulatory work in areas where adequate local governmental programs exist. Since its inception in 1955, the Federal air pollution program has provided much support to state and local governmental air pollution programs and to the air pollution field in general. Since 1963, Federal activities have also been significant in fee abatement of interstate air pollution and, since 1965, in the control of pollution from motor vehicles.