COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 1 Click your mouse anywhere on the screen to advance the text in each slide. After the starburst appears, click a blue triangle to move to the next slide or previous slide.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 2 Quote of the Day “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” Sir John Lubbock, English writer, banker, statesman, naturalist

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 3 Environmental Protection Agency  Created by Congress in 1970 to consolidate environmental regulation under federal control.  The EPA issues regulations to enforce environmental statutes passed by Congress.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 4 Clean Air Act of 1970  Has four major provisions: Primary Standards -- national ambient air quality standards for pollution that harms public health. Upheld, regardless of cost. Secondary Standards – standards set for less harmful, but unpleasant pollution. State Implementation Plans (SIPs) – the EPA can produce its own plan of pollution reduction if a state’s plan is not implemented in a reasonable time. Citizen Suits – allows anyone to file a suit against a polluter or against the EPA for failure to enforce environmental rules.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 5 New Sources of Pollution  The EPA has a policy of prevention of significant deterioration (PSD). No one may undertake a building project that will cause a major increase in pollution (even if it is still within the standards set for that area) without first obtaining a permit from the EPA.  The EPA will grant a permit only if the project will not cause an overall decline in air quality and it uses the best available control technology.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 6 Acid Rain  Caused by rain forming in and falling through polluted air. The effects are damaged crops, forests and lakes.  Power plants have four options for meeting emissions standards: (1) installing scrubbers, (2) using low-sulfur coal, (3) switching to alternative fuels (such as natural gas), or (4) trading emissions allowances.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 7 Automobile Pollution  The EPA placed requirements on automobile manufacturers to reduce emissions in a way for which technology did not exist. This idea, that if forced to do so, the industry could develop the way to meet the standards, is called technology forcing.  In 2002, the auto industry fought off Congressional efforts to increase fuel efficiency requirements, though some states have imposed strict standards.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 8 Air Toxics  Some pollutants are so toxic, that there is no safe level for them.  The EPA is in the process of setting standards for almost 200 toxins, based initially on maximum achievable control technology (MACT).  Within eight years after these standards are set, the EPA must raise the standards, forcing polluters to develop the technology to comply.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 9 Global Warming  Many scientists believe that the current trend of increased temperatures worldwide will continue toward a catastrophic conclusion.  This trend, called “the greenhouse effect” is believed to be caused by worldwide burning of fossil fuels, thereby producing gases which trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere.  The issue of global warming is complex because a solution would require international cooperation and the expense would have a major impact on most people’s lifestyles.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 10 Clean Water Act  The Clean Water Act passed in 1972 had two main goals: To make all navigable water suitable for swimming and fishing by To eliminate the discharge of pollutants into navigable water by  These goals have not yet been met.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 11 Clean Water Act (cont’d)  Industrial Discharges The CWA prohibits any single producer from discharging pollution into water without an EPA permit. Before granting a permit, the EPA must set limits, based on the best available technology, for each pollutant which may be discharged.  Water Quality Standards The CWA requires states to set EPA-approved water quality standards and develop plans to achieve them. States must pay special attention to non-regulated sources of pollution such as rainwater runoff.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 12 Clean Water Act (cont’d)  Wetlands The CWA prohibits any discharge of dredge and fill material into wetlands without a permit. Many states require a permit to drain wetlands. The goal for “no net loss” of wetlands has not been enforced.  Sewage Under the CWA, a municipality must obtain a permit for any discharge from a wastewater treatment plant.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 13 Other Water Pollution Statutes  The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 sets standards for allowable contaminants in drinking water.  The Ocean Dumping Act of 1972 prohibits dumping in the ocean without a permit.  Oil Pollution Act of 1990 sets design standards for oil-carrying ships.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 14 Waste Disposal  Two major statutes regulate solid wastes: The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) establishes rules for treating both hazardous wastes and other forms of solid wastes (such as ordinary garbage). The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (also called the Superfund), focuses on cleaning up existing hazardous waste sites.  The EPA also sets standards for installing and monitoring underground storage tanks.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 15 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act  The RCRA : Bans new open dumps Requires that garbage be sent to sanitary landfills Sets minimum standards for landfills Requires landfills to monitor nearby groundwater Requires states to develop permit programs for landfills Provides some financial assistance

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 16 Electronic Waste  Computers and other consumer electronic devices have created the most rapidly growing waste problem in the world, due to the large volume of devices produced (and the relatively short life span of each) and due to dangerously toxic components.  Much of this waste is sent to poor countries, where it is burned or dismantled with no safety regulations.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 17 CERCLA / The Superfund  Under CERCLA, anyone who has ever owned or operated a site on which hazardous wastes are found, or who has transported wastes to the site, or who has arranged for the disposal of wastes that were released at the site, is liable for: (1) the cost of cleaning up the site, (2) any damage done to natural resources, and (3) any required health assessments.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 18 CERCLA / The Superfund  Current and former owners are held liable, regardless of degree of fault or legality of actions.  There are over 1000 sites on the national priority list which are not yet completely cleaned up.  Costs of cleanup are paid in part by a revolving trust fund (hence the nickname, “Superfund”). This trust fund is nearing depletion, however, and the cost burden will soon fall on taxpayers.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 19 Chemicals  The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires manufacturers to register all pesticides with the EPA. Benefits must outweigh the known risks. In 1972 the EPA began re-evaluating registered chemicals in light of new evidence of risks.  Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires the EPA to set maximum levels for pesticide residue in raw or processed food.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 20 Chemicals (cont’d)  Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 requires the EPA to set pesticide standards at levels safe for children.  Toxic Substances Control Act -- Before selling a new chemical (or an old chemical being used for a new purpose), the manufacturer must register it with the EPA, presenting evidence of the chemical’s impact on health and the environment.

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 21 Natural Resources  The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires all federal agencies to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for every major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.  The EIS must address: Environmental consequences Available alternatives Direct and indirect effects Energy requirements Impact on urban quality, historic and cultural resources Means to mitigate adverse effects

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 22 Natural Resources  The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the identification, monitoring and protecting of species (plants or animals) in danger of becoming extinct. List of species in danger of extinction Plans to revive these species Federal agency actions must not harm endangered species Harming, killing, capturing, selling or transporting of these species is unlawful

COPYRIGHT © 2011 South-Western/Cengage Learning. 23 “The issue is not ‘Are you in favor of a clean environment?’ but rather, ‘Who will pay to clean up existing damage? and ‘How can we make decisions that maximize benefit while minimizing cost?’ ” “The issue is not ‘Are you in favor of a clean environment?’ but rather, ‘Who will pay to clean up existing damage? and ‘How can we make decisions that maximize benefit while minimizing cost?’ ”