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The City-Level Effects of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments

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Listed:
  • Maximilian Auffhammer
  • Antonio M. Bento
  • Scott E. Lowe

Abstract

This paper examines whether the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments caused the decline in ambient concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) in California over the 1990–2000 period. Consistent with previous studies, we find that PM10 nonattainment status at the county level is not a significant factor in explaining the reductions in PM10. However, when we allow for spatially heterogeneous treatment effects within nonattainment counties, and incorporate measures of community characteristics, climate, geography, transboundary pollution, and industrial composition and scale, we find that nonattainment designations at the city level account for a 6% reduction in ambient PM10 concentrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximilian Auffhammer & Antonio M. Bento & Scott E. Lowe, 2011. "The City-Level Effects of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 87(1), pages 1-18.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:landec:v:87:y:2011:i:1:p:1-18
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Meng-jieu Chen, 2021. "The abatement of particulate matter 2.5 in Los Angeles County: a counterfactual evaluation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 7063-7088, May.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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