Editors' Summary: Combatting interstate air pollution is one of the major challenges in the effort to improve air quality. For decades, federal legislation has addressed this problem, but with little success. Now, with EPA's adoption last year of new ozone and fine particulate matter standards, this issue is receiving even more attention.

This Article, written by an attorney with EPA's Office of General Counsel, examines the history of federal legislation and policies that address interstate air pollution. The Article begins with an analysis of the first national air pollution legislation, which was enacted in 1955. It then discusses federal air statutes down to, and including, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Finally, it examines relevant programs under the 1990 amendments, as well as their influence on new presidential policies. In an upcoming Article, the author will examine two key topics related to transboundary air pollution — environmental federalism and presidential interstate air pollution control policies.