--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Clean Air Act gives states the right…" description: "\"The Clean Air Act gives states the right to impose limits on automobile emissions if the federal government isn't doing its job and protecting resident..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg" --- # The Clean Air Act gives states the right to impose limits… ![“The Clean Air Act gives states the right to impose limits on automobile emissions if the federal government isn't doing its job and protecting residents from pollution.” quote by Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg) > “The Clean Air Act gives states the right to impose limits on automobile emissions if the federal government isn't doing its job and protecting residents from pollution.” [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Clean Air Act empowers states to limit emissions when federal action falls short. **In simple terms:** States can act on air quality. Key Takeaway Support local environmental regulations. Themes environment policy state rights federal in public health Mood determined concerned Type political environmental When to use this quote - state legislation - public advocacy - community health initiatives - legal challenges Key Concepts Regulatory law environmental justice policy implementation Questions to Reflect On - How can states collaborate on pollution control? - What challenges arise from differing state standards? A Different Perspective Federal resistance may limit effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Automobile Emissions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/automobile-emissions-4148026/) [Clean air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-air/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Emissions Federal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emissions-federal-4148024/) [Federal government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-government/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Limits Automobile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits-automobile-4148025/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Pollution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pollution/) [Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right/) ## Related quotes > [After all, the same steps that reduce carbon pollution also clean the air we breathe, which saves lives and reduces disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/after-all-the-same-steps-that-reduce-carbon-pollution-also-clean-the/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [We still think of air as free. But clean air is not free, and neither is clean water. The price tag on pollution control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/we-still-think-of-air-as-free-but-clean-air-is-not-free-and-neither/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Years of government inaction on air pollution has got people thinking that the state cannot even protect basic public goods like clean air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-gardiner/years-of-government-inaction-on-air-pollution-has-got-people-thinking/) [Barry Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-gardiner/) > [You go into a community and they will vote 80 percent to 20 percent in favor of a tougher Clean Air Act, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ruckelshaus/you-go-into-a-community-and-they-will-vote-80-percent-to-20-percent/) [William Ruckelshaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ruckelshaus/) > [Corporate polluters, their phony think tanks and political toadies like to marginalize environmentalists as tree huggers, or radicals. But there is nothing radical about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy-jr/corporate-polluters-their-phony-think-tanks-and-political-toadies/) [Robert F. Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/) > [As Pennsylvania Attorney General, I have the responsibility to act as a check on the federal government when it infringes upon our sovereignty, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/as-pennsylvania-attorney-general-i-have-the-responsibility-to-act-as/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [The Trump Administration wants to unilaterally do away with the states' rights protections in the Clean Air Act. But the authority given to Pennsylvania…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-trump-administration-wants-to-unilaterally-do-away-with-the/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I'm proud of having been one of the first to recognize that states and the federal government have a duty to protect our natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-m-proud-of-having-been-one-of-the-first-to-recognize-that-states/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [That's a fact of our federal system of government: each state runs their election differently - and that's OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/that-s-a-fact-of-our-federal-system-of-government-each-state-runs/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I am an environmentalist. ... I am for clean air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-am-an-environmentalist-i-am-for-clean-air/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“I'm starting to realize that being born into this social world is a little like being born into clean air. You take it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randa-abdel-fattah/i-m-starting-to-realize-that-being-born-into-this-social-world-is-a/) [Randa Abdel-Fattah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randa-abdel-fattah/) > [“We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need? -Lee Iacocca, former chairman, Ford Motor Company”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-d-price/we-ve-got-to-pause-and-ask-ourselves-how-much-clean-air-do-we-need/) [Steven D. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-d-price/) > [There is no domestic issue more important to America in the long run than the conservation and proper use of our natural resources, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/there-is-no-domestic-issue-more-important-to-america-in-the-long-run/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [“We must have clean air and water, and beautiful natural foods for everyone, everywhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-have-clean-air-and-water-and-beautiful-natural-foods-for/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [This is a truth that should be repeated like a mantra: to have any chance of a ful - filling life, we require not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burnside/this-is-a-truth-that-should-be-repeated-like-a-mantra-to-have-any/) [John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burnside/) ## More by Josh Shapiro > [If you ran a company with a failure rate of 68 percent, how long do you think you would stay in business? My guess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/if-you-ran-a-company-with-a-failure-rate-of-68-percent-how-long-do/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [That's a fact of our federal system of government: each state runs their election differently - and that's OK.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/that-s-a-fact-of-our-federal-system-of-government-each-state-runs/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [The Equifax data breach, affecting the personal, financial information of 143 million Americans and 5.4 million Pennsylvanians, is an outrageous display of corporate malfeasance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-equifax-data-breach-affecting-the-personal-financial-information/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [We get stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/we-get-stuff-done-for-the-good-people-of-pennsylvania/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [Pennsylvanians deserve the freedom to walk down the street without fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/pennsylvanians-deserve-the-freedom-to-walk-down-the-street-without/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [Political violence has no place in Pennsylvania - the birthplace of American democracy - nor anywhere else across this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/political-violence-has-no-place-in-pennsylvania-the-birthplace-of/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [All Pennsylvanians owe a debt of gratitude to the veterans who have served our Commonwealth and fought for our freedoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/all-pennsylvanians-owe-a-debt-of-gratitude-to-the-veterans-who-have/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [U.S. elections are run by counties, and the laws they follow are set by each state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/u-s-elections-are-run-by-counties-and-the-laws-they-follow-are-set-by/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I know that there is nothing more crucial when making decisions than to have all the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-know-that-there-is-nothing-more-crucial-when-making-decisions-than/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I believe Pennsylvania is a place for second chances - and my Administration has invested in and advanced real criminal justice system reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-believe-pennsylvania-is-a-place-for-second-chances-and-my/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [When I became governor, I made a promise to address the everyday problems Pennsylvanians face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/when-i-became-governor-i-made-a-promise-to-address-the-everyday/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [Across the country, we've seen what happens when competition in health care is inhibited: Hospitals close and prices skyrocket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/across-the-country-we-ve-seen-what-happens-when-competition-in-health/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [I've made it a point to listen to the voices of students, teachers, and parents in my Administration, and I've heard loud and clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-ve-made-it-a-point-to-listen-to-the-voices-of-students-teachers-and/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [From our small towns to our big cities, every Pennsylvania community has a main street - they are critical to our economic strength, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/from-our-small-towns-to-our-big-cities-every-pennsylvania-community/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [We need to step up for those who are most vulnerable in our system and show them that we give a damn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/we-need-to-step-up-for-those-who-are-most-vulnerable-in-our-system/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) [Explore all 100 Josh Shapiro quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) ## More Clean air quotes > [“We must have clean air and water, and beautiful natural foods for everyone, everywhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-have-clean-air-and-water-and-beautiful-natural-foods-for/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There is no domestic issue more important to America in the long run than the conservation and proper use of our natural resources, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/there-is-no-domestic-issue-more-important-to-america-in-the-long-run/) [Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/) > [“We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need? -Lee Iacocca, former chairman, Ford Motor Company”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-d-price/we-ve-got-to-pause-and-ask-ourselves-how-much-clean-air-do-we-need/) [Steven D. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-d-price/) > [“I'm starting to realize that being born into this social world is a little like being born into clean air. You take it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randa-abdel-fattah/i-m-starting-to-realize-that-being-born-into-this-social-world-is-a/) [Randa Abdel-Fattah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randa-abdel-fattah/) > [You go into a community and they will vote 80 percent to 20 percent in favor of a tougher Clean Air Act, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ruckelshaus/you-go-into-a-community-and-they-will-vote-80-percent-to-20-percent/) [William Ruckelshaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ruckelshaus/) > [I am an environmentalist. ... I am for clean air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-am-an-environmentalist-i-am-for-clean-air/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [This is a truth that should be repeated like a mantra: to have any chance of a ful - filling life, we require not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burnside/this-is-a-truth-that-should-be-repeated-like-a-mantra-to-have-any/) [John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burnside/) > [Why worry about minor little details like clean air, clean water, safe ports and the safety net when Jesus is going to give the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/why-worry-about-minor-little-details-like-clean-air-clean-water-safe/) [Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/) > [Tax reduction has an almost irresistible appeal to the politician, and it is no doubt also gratifying to the citizen. It means more dollars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/tax-reduction-has-an-almost-irresistible-appeal-to-the-politician-and/) [John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/) > [Any first-generation technology will. But we are looking at carbon the same way we look at every pollutant under the Clean Air Act; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-mccarthy/any-first-generation-technology-will-but-we-are-looking-at-carbon-the/) [Gina McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-mccarthy/) > [EPA's Affordable Clean Energy rule (ACE), would restore the states' proper role under the Clean Air Act and our system of federalism. Our plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-r-wheeler/epa-s-affordable-clean-energy-rule-ace-would-restore-the-states/) [Andrew R. Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-r-wheeler/) > [Our work seeks to focus attention on the necessity of developing security for the global village, meeting its need for clean air, water, food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalie-bertell/our-work-seeks-to-focus-attention-on-the-necessity-of-developing/) [Rosalie Bertell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalie-bertell/) > [America is a global leader on clean air progress and carbon dioxide reductions, and we are the envy of the world when it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-r-wheeler/america-is-a-global-leader-on-clean-air-progress-and-carbon-dioxide/) [Andrew R. Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-r-wheeler/) > [If you're asking me do we want clean air and clean water? Yes. Do we want a safer climate for future generations of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/if-you-re-asking-me-do-we-want-clean-air-and-clean-water-yes-do-we/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [Self-centeredness will bring on the destruction of our world. National pride separates people. All people need the same thing. When you really get down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/self-centeredness-will-bring-on-the-destruction-of-our-world-national/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) [Browse all 159 Clean air quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-air/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The Clean Air Act gives states the right to impose limits on automobile emissions if the federal government isn't doing its job and protecting residents from pollution.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Shapiro" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right-to-impose-limits-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clean air" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right-to-impose-limits-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/josh-shapiro-5517_clean-air_the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right_2904408.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Clean Air Act gives states the right to impose limits on automobile emissions if the federal government…” — Josh Shapiro", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Josh Shapiro", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Clean Air Act gives states...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right-to-impose-limits-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/the-clean-air-act-gives-states-the-right-to-impose-limits-on/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```