Enforcement - State Authority

The basis for the authority of states to enforce pollution control programs is the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The actions that a state can take include:

• Reviewing all new construction or modification of pollution sources to ensure that the source will not prevent either attainment or maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or cause significant deterioration of air quality
• Gathering information about air pollution sources
• Requiring that air pollution sources install monitoring equipment, maintain records, and report information about air emissions to the state
• Implement a system for detecting violations and investigating public complaints about air pollution

A state must have an adequate enforcement system in place before EPA will approve its SIP. Many states also give enforcement authority to local air pollution agencies. In California, for example, authority for air pollution control in Los Angeles area is held by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.