Apparent v. Real Consensus Regarding Enviro Values and Goals:
1
i.
Apparent – environmental quality is an important goal in any gov’t structure and the
environment is a consensual issue to the American public.
(1)
Despite partisanship, even the most conservative gov’ts support environmental
regulation
(a)
Nixon – pushed through Environmental Code
ii.
Real – the real debates are over costs and effectiveness of policies.
(1)
What is “harm” to the environment is subjective.
General Public Support for Environmental Protection:
iii.
Enviro concerns trump economic interests – to a point
e.g. New Deli Fly – a lot of projects on raw land in Inland Empire buy land and find fly that only breeds
2
every 3 years. Is that habitat? Is it a critical link in our food chain? Conservative argument
E.g. gov’t says this is how much you can emit out. You have credits that you can buy and sell)
3
More market based have the goal of lowering emissions. A regulated polluter is given an overall limit. You
4
can sell your assets (extra credits if limit is not reached). You’re creating a market that will eliminate regulators who
have to read reports
CHAPTER I – ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND POLICIES: AND INTRODUCTION
1.
Environmental Problems and Progress1
a.
Conservative v. Liberal Perception
i.
Conservative View
(1)
Basic Concepts
(a)
Existing system is too burdensome and expensive
(b)
Suspend further regulatory action until we get further scientific evidence
(c)
Command and control system should be delegated to the state
(d)
Environmental issues should not trump property values
(2)
Cost Benefit Balancing – Economic burden balanced with human, health, welfare
and environment. As opposed to “no tree should be cut” command and control
structure
(a)
How do you implement a cost/benefit structure? Very challenging and
subjective. Extreme view.
(i)
People first – critters and animals second2
(3)
Market Based Incentives – Replace traditional Command and Control regulation
with market based incentives
3 4
(a)
Right to Pollute – extra credits give