Each summer, ELI convenes a complimentary seminar series that offers an introduction to the legal and policy foundations of environmental protection in the United States. ELI's Summer School is a series of seminars taught by experts in their fields, introducing the audience to important areas of environmental law. Faculty will also incorporate major regulatory and judicial updates to the laws.
Basics of the Clean Air Act
Originally enacted in 1963, the Clean Air Act (CAA) is the primary federal law regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. It has major impacts on the environment, human health, and the economy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and updates CAA regulations, which are frequently challenged in court. A notable example is West Virginia v. EPA, a landmark 2022 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court addressed EPA’s authority under the CAA to set power plant emissions limits based on generation shifting.
As regulations under the CAA continue to be at the center of developments in environmental law, this session will explore both the foundations and some real-world examples of the Act. Our expert faculty will dive into:
- permitting programs;
- air quality planning regulations;
- standards for major sources, area sources, and mobile sources; and
- major recent developments.
Panelists:
Karen Mongoven, Policy Director, National Association of Clean Air Agencies, Moderator
Shaun Goho, Legal Director, Clean Air Task Force
Matthew Oakes, Trial Attorney, Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division
Ilana Saltzbart, Partner, Environmental, Health and Safety, King & Spalding
Materials:
Materials will be posted as they are received.
A recording of this session will be posted to this page, usually within 3-5 business days of the live event.
**Check out the entire Summer School 2025 schedule.**