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Pollution control, a key component of US environmental policy, has made important progress over the years. Yet important problems remain and there is need for improvement in the pollution control regulatory system. This book reveals its strengths and accomplishments, and illustrates the shortcomings and the need for reform.
List of contents
Foreword Paul R. Portney Preface J. Clarence Davies and Jan Mazurek 1. Introduction The Need for Evaluation The Pollution Control Regulatory System Criteria for Evaluation Structure of the Book References PART I: EVALUATING THE PROCESS 2. Federal Legislation Description History Command and Control Fragmentation Overlaps and Inconsistencies Disparity between Resources and Responsibility Court Review of EPA Decisions References 3. Administrative Decisionmaking Scope and Limitations Use of Scientific Information Risk Assessment and Comparative Risk Economic Analysis Fragmentation within EPA Absence of Feedback and Evaluation Roles of OMB, OSTP, and CEQ References 4 The Federal-State Division of Labor Evolution of Federal-State Responsibilities Current State Capabilities Criteria for Division of Labor Unfunded Mandates References PART II: EVALUATING THE REGULATORY SYSTEM 5. Reducing Pollution Levels Overview Air Pollution Water Pollution Municipal Solid Waste Hazardous Waste Toxics Pesticides Regulatory system and Pollution Levels Conclusion References 6. Targeting the Most Important Problems The Need to Set Priorities Priorities Total Cost of Pollution Control to EPA Methods for Evaluating EPA's Priorities Evaluating EPA's Priorities References 7. Efficiency Economics and Environmental Protection Benefits and Costs of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act Cost-effectiveness of Pollution Control Regulations Macroeconomic Effects Conclusions References 8. Social Values Public Involvement Nonintrusiveness Environmental Justice Other Social Values Conclusions References 9. Comparison with Other Countries Pollution Levels Pollution Control Provisions and Implementation Control Measures: Waste and Toxics Integrated Pollution Control International Competitiveness and Trade Summary References 10. Ability to Meet Future Problems Forecasting and Uncertainty Air Pollution Water Pollution Municipal Solid Waste Hazardous Waste Heavy Metals New Items on the Agenda Summary Endnotes
About the author
J. Clarence Davies is a senior fellow at Resources for the Future. He is a former assistant administrator for policy with the U.S. EPA and has published widely on environmental issues. Jan Mazurek is a former researcher with CRM and author of Making Microchips: Policy, Globalization, and Economic Restructuring in the Semi-conductor Industry.Mazurek was a researcher at the center.
Summary
Pollution control, a key component of US environmental policy, has made important progress over the years. Yet important problems remain and there is need for improvement in the pollution control regulatory system. This book reveals its strengths and accomplishments, and illustrates the shortcomings and the need for reform.
