The government is always open to compromises and this includes largely big companies that have trouble controlling their gas emissions. Ever since the Regan era, such compromises such as the “cap and trade” were given to help them go on their way with their business but at the same time take the responsibility on not adding to the woes of environmental issues.

To date, there are still some who have adhered to these policies and not. But to date, thanks to the Clean Air Act released in the 1990’s, the Acid Rain Program released has made wonders in helping address the pollution problem. The Acid Rain program is actually now among the models that have become important in controlling the ever growing issue of gas emissions and global warming.

(Source) While the acid rain initiative was focused on just one pollutant, sulfur dioxide (nitrogen oxides were later added), the new proposals seek to limit carbon dioxide and five other pollutants. The acid rain program focused on electricity producers, while the new efforts would affect utilities, large manufacturers and the transportation sector as well.

“With SO2 (sulfur dioxide ), you are talking about one air pollutant, primarily from one industry, for emissions trading purposes,” said William Fang, deputy general counsel and climate issue director for the Edison Electric Institute, a trade group for utilities. “With greenhouse gases, most of the bills are economy-wide or would focus on about 75 percent of the economy. … You are talking about literally millions of sources.”