Look to the future

As emissions from the largest known sources of acid deposition—power plants and automobiles—are reduced, EPA scientists and their colleagues must assess the reductions to make sure they are achieving the results that Congress anticipated when it created the Acid Rain Program in 1990. If these assessments show that acid deposition is still harming the environment, Congress may begin to consider additional ways to reduce emissions that cause acid deposition. It may consider additional emission reductions from sources that have already been controlled, or methods to reduce emissions from other sources. Congress may also focus on energy efficiency and alternative energy. Implementation of cost-effective mechanisms to reduce emissions and their impact on the environment will continue to evolve.