Environmental Policy: Key Concepts and Legislation

Environmental Policy: Decision-Making and Problem Solving

Hydrofracking and Natural Gas

  • Hydrofracking is used to extract natural gas from deep rock formations.
  • Issues arose in Dimock, raising public awareness about fracking's environmental impact.

Pros and Cons of Fracking

  • Policymakers promote fracking and exempt it from several federal laws (e.g., NEPA, SDWA).
  • The implications of such changes affect informed decision-making among the public and policymakers.

Environmental Policy Framework

  • Effective environmental policy needs contributions from science, ethics, and economics.
  • Short-term market capitalism often neglects environmental and social considerations.
  • Governments intervene to protect health, environmental quality, and promote fairness.

External Costs of Fracking

  • Fracking contributes to various external costs, including:
    • Water and air pollution
    • Noise pollution
    • Increased healthcare costs
    • Small earth tremors
  • The "polluter pays" principle aims to address these costs.

Controversy and Regulation

  • Businesses may find regulations bureaucratic or costly.
  • Controls can include zoning regulations, permits, and scientific policies.

Historical Context

  • Major environmental legislation arose in response to visible pollution in the 1960s and 70s.
  • Key legislation:
    • Clean Air Act (1963, amended 1970, 1990): Regulates air quality and emissions.
    • Safe Drinking Water Act (1974): Sets standards to ensure drinking water safety.
    • Endangered Species Act (1973): Protects endangered species and their habitats.
  • Nixon established the EPA in 1970 to consolidate environmental regulations.

Environmental Policy Approaches

  1. Lawsuits: Allow individuals affected by pollution to sue polluters.
  2. Command and Control: Regulatory limits can lead to positive environmental changes but with limited flexibility.
  3. Economic Policy Tools: Includes systems for emissions trading and green taxes to incentivize pollution reduction.

Environmental Financing

  • The fossil fuel industry receives significant government subsidies.
  • Conservation subsidies support sustainable practices among farmers.

Key Takeaways

  • Addressing environmental issues requires collaboration among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
  • Different strategies exist to mitigate pollution's impact and promote sustainability.