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Environmental Policy

Environmental Policy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY. Chelsea & Dan. Environmental Movement. Richard Nixon Strengthened the Clean Air Act Passed the Water Quality Improvement Act Created the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Politicians

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Environmental Policy

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  1. Environmental Policy

  2. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Chelsea & Dan

  3. Environmental Movement • Richard Nixon • Strengthened the Clean Air Act • Passed the Water Quality Improvement Act • Created the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). • Politicians • Oppose the though of environmentalism which causes most of the disputes and conflicts. • Not all issues receive equal support.

  4. Major Environmental Laws Smog – Clean Air Act of 1970 and Amended in 1977 and 1990 Water – Clean Water Acts No discharge of wastewater into lakes and streams without a federal permit Must have a permit for a city and factory Must meet federal discharge standards • Stationary sources: EPA sets national air quality standards; local must install pollution control equipment • Gas-Powered vehicles: up to 90% reduction in pollution; all states have auto inspection system • Cities: classified cities by smog level and set deadlines for meeting federal standards

  5. Laws (cont…) Toxic Wastes - Acid Rain – Clean Air Act of 1970 Required a reduction of 10 million tons of sulfur dioxide by 1995 The biggest sources of pollution must acquire government allowances setting emission limits • EPA has to clean up abandoned dump sites with money raised by a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and from general revenues. Environmental Impact Statements - • (1969) Any federal agency planning a project that will affect the human habitat must prepare an EIS.

  6. Global Warming • The Beliefs • Global warming is causing by the burning of fossil fuels. • Scientist believe that Global Warming is going to hurt Man Kind. • The Truths • Fossil fuels do cause a green house effect but that is not the only cause.

  7. Global Warming • Truths (con.) • Scientists are divided with the aspect of global warming. • Some agree that the releasing of CO2 is one of the agents that is leading to Global warming. • More say that it is a natural event in the history of the world. • The last opinion is that global warming is occurring but it will help mankind not hurt it.

  8. Acid Rain • What is acid Rain? • Major Contributors • Steel mills • Electric power plants • What does acid rain cause? • Increased acid level in waters • Killing of forests • Man made vs. Nature • Uncertainties lead to interest group battles

  9. Acid Rain (cont…) • Interest Group Battles • Canada & New England vs. Mid Western Smokestacks (ARE major part of problem vs. NOT their problem) • 1977 Bill (compromise) • Either burn low sulfur coal or get scrubbers • Miners keep job • Technology • Scrubber manufacturer • Clean Air Act of 1990 • 111 plants lower sulfur admission by fixed amount by 1995 • More by 2005

  10. Interest Group Politics • Affects many aspects of environmental policy making • Lacks moral favor and rarely uses public opinion

  11. Agricultural Pesticides

  12. Automobile Pollution • The Clean Air Act of 1970 • Imposed tough restrictions on the amount of pollutants that could come out of tailpipes. • “The Public” vs. “The Interests” • The public won • By 1976 new cars would have to produce 90% less pollutants; not enough time

  13. Majoritarian Politics • When people think prices are low • The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 • When people think prices are high • Gasoline • Proposed that gas tax be increased to discourage driving. • Almost everyone would pay, but almost anyone will benefit • People pay first and benefit later • Taxes support noncash benefits • Cleaner air… • To get government to raise gas prices, environment is rarely used as an issue to.

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