Mobile Sources

by

Mobile Sources in the United States

Mobile Sources in Environmental Law

This term includes motor vehicles and aircraft that are regulated as pollution sources under the Clean Air Act. Mobile sources contribute carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate pollution to the air. Before unleaded gasoline was introduced, they also emitted lead.

Environmental regulation of mobile sources began as early as 1955, but only small steps were taken until the 1970 Clean Air Act was passed, giving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the power to set standards for emissions for new automobiles and to regulate fuels. The Clean Air Act forced automobile manufacturers to develop emission controls and fuel efficiency for cars before the technology for them existed. The deadline for compliance was 1975, a deadline the manufacturers did not meet. When the act was amended in 1977, more realistic standards were set. The goals were not abandoned, but the deadlines were extended.

Today, the federal government controls many aspects of mobile sources: cold start carbon monoxide emissions, vapor recovery systems, emission control devices and diagnostic equipment, and testing of vehicles both before they are marketed and after they have been purchased. Other issues closely related to mobile sources involve fueling, such as fuel additives, vapor recovery from gasoline nozzles, and reformulated or oxygenated gas.

Fine-tuning mobile sources and fuels has greatly reduced air contamination. Still, many areas of the country remain out of compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulates. Mobile sources contribute large percentages of the total for all of these pollutants.

As a result, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 focused not only on motor vehicles but on their use. Congress envisioned the vehicle owner playing a significant role in creating clean air. Methods of control include periodic inspections of the emission control equipment and vapor recovery systems at gasoline stations. Transportation control measures, such as driving restrictions and special lanes for carpools, have become necessary in some places. Large employers and business owners in major metropolitan areas often must develop and implement a plan to reduce the number of cars being driven to work during peak business hours. Many businesses that own ten or more vehicles must phase in fleet vehicles that run on cleaner fuels. See also nonattainment areas.

California is required to operate a pilot program to reduce emissions from mobile sources within the state. By 1996,150,000 vehicles sold must be capable of running on clean fuel. The number doubles by 1999. Other areas of the country were allowed to opt into the program, but they are not required to do so.
Based on “Environment and the Law. A Dictionary”.

Related Entries:

  1. Montreal Protocol
  2. Montreal Protocol
  3. Mortgage
  4. Motion
  5. Major Source
  6. Material Safety Data Sheets
  7. Maximum Contaminant Levels
  8. Mixture Rule
  9. Mootness
  10. Money Laundering
  11. Montreal Protocol
  12. Montreal Protocol
  13. Mortgage Corporations
  14. Motor Vehicle Registration Taxes
  15. Inspection
  16. Mobilia Personam Sequuntur; Immobilia Situm
  17. Modo Et Forma
  18. Modus Transferrendi
  19. Molitura Libera
  20. Money Claims
  21. Money Paid
  22. Monogram
  23. Monstraverunt, Writ Of
  24. Moot Man
  25. Morbosus
  26. Mors Omnia Solvit
  27. Mortgagor
  28. Mortuary
  29. Trespass
  30. Trafficicking
  31. Merger Control
  32. Monetary Affairs
  33. Movement Against the Slave-Trade
  34. Morrill Land Grant Act
  35. Motion in Limine
  36. Mode of Amendment
  37. Motion Picture
  38. History of Environmental Law
  39. Lender Liability
  40. Listed Wastes
  41. National Contingency Plan
  42. National Emission Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants
  43. New Source Performance Standards
  44. New Source Review
  45. Notice Letter
  46. Notice Of Noncompliance
  47. Pollution Control
  48. Receiving Waters
  49. Requests For Information
  50. Significant New Use Rule
  51. Stormwater Runoff
  52. Toxic Release Inventory
  53. Water Quality Standards
  54. Morris Cohen
  55. Master Jury List
  56. Missouri Plan
  57. Medical Care
  58. Money And Finance
  59. Morrill Acts (Agricultural And Mechanical Colleges)
  60. Motion To Recommit
  61. Monetary Policy
  62. Motion Briefs
  63. Environmental Protection Agency Definition
  64. Monopoly Power
  65. Motions for Judgment
  66. Mortgage Laws
  67. Motions to Strike
  68. Motions in Limine
  69. Motions for New Trials
  70. Money Market Accounts

Mobile Sources: Open and Free Legal Research of US Law

Federal Primary Materials

The U.S. federal government system consists of executive, legislative, and judicial branches, each of which creates information that can be the subject of legal research about Mobile Sources. This part provides references, in relation to Mobile Sources, to the legislative process, the federal judiciary, and the primary sources of federal law (cases, statutes, and regulations).

Federal primary materials about Mobile Sources by content types:

Laws and Regulations

US Constitution
Federal Statutory Codes and Legislation

Federal Case Law and Court Materials

U.S. Courts of Appeals
United States courts of appeals, inclouding bankruptcy courts and bankcruptcy appellate panels:

Federal Administrative Materials and Resources

Presidential Materials

Materials that emanate from the President’s lawmaking function include executive orders for officers in departments and agencies and proclamations for announcing ceremonial or commemorative policies. Presidential materials available include:

Executive Materials

Federal Legislative History Materials

Legislative history traces the legislative process of a particular bill (about Mobile Sources and other subjects) for the main purpose of determining the legislators’ intent behind the enactment of a law to explain or clarify ambiguities in the language or the perceived meaning of that law (about Mobile Sources or other topics), or locating the current status of a bill and monitoring its progress.

State Administrative Materials and Resources

State regulations are rules and procedures promulgated by state agencies (which may apply to Mobile Sources and other topics); they are a binding source of law. In addition to promulgating regulations, state administrative boards and agencies often have judicial or quasi-judicial authority and may issue administrative decisions affecting Mobile Sources. Finding these decisions can be challenging. In many cases, researchers about Mobile Sources should check state agency web sites for their regulations, decisions, forms, and other information of interest.

State rules and regulations are found in codes of regulations and administrative codes (official compilation of all rules and regulations, organized by subject matter). Search here:

State opinions of the Attorney General (official written advisory opinions on issues of state law related to Mobile Sources when formerly requested by a designated government officer):

Tools and Forms

Law in Other Regions

*This resource guide is updated frequently. However, if you notice something is wrong or not working, or any resources that should be added, please notify us in any of the "Leave a Comment" area.

Leave a Comment