Environmental Policy

Chapter 21Chapter 21Environmental Environmental

PolicyPolicy

Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage

WHO GOVERNS?WHO GOVERNS?1.1. Why have environmental issues become Why have environmental issues become

so important in American politics and so important in American politics and policymaking?policymaking?

2.2. Does the public get the environmental Does the public get the environmental laws it wants?laws it wants?

TO WHAT ENDS?TO WHAT ENDS?1.1. If we wish to have cleaner air and water, If we wish to have cleaner air and water,

how far should we go in making them how far should we go in making them cleaner when the cost of each additional cleaner when the cost of each additional gain goes up?gain goes up?

2.2. What is the best way for the government What is the best way for the government to achieve an environmental goal: by to achieve an environmental goal: by issuing orders or offering incentives?issuing orders or offering incentives?

The American ContextThe American Context

Entrepreneurial PoliticsEntrepreneurial Politics• Pollution from stationary sourcesPollution from stationary sources


The fight over climate change pits people who use coal with those who oppose burning it. Source: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

M E M O R A N D U MM E M O R A N D U M

To: To: Senator Diane GraySenator Diane Gray

From: From: Keith Mays, legislative assistantKeith Mays, legislative assistant

Until recently, you could get a tax cut if you bought aUntil recently, you could get a tax cut if you bought a

hybrid car. But it was only available for the first 60,000hybrid car. But it was only available for the first 60,000

cars built by any manufacturer.cars built by any manufacturer.


WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Arguments for incentives:Arguments for incentives:

1. We need to reduce gasoline consumption and our dependence on 1. We need to reduce gasoline consumption and our dependence on foreign oil.foreign oil.

2. Hybrid cars consume much less gasoline.2. Hybrid cars consume much less gasoline.

3. A tax break to buyers of hybrid vehicles that rely on both electric 3. A tax break to buyers of hybrid vehicles that rely on both electric and gasoline engines will provide a stable market that will and gasoline engines will provide a stable market that will encourage sales.encourage sales.



Arguments against incentives:Arguments against incentives:

1. We can more easily cut fuel consumption by raising taxes on 1. We can more easily cut fuel consumption by raising taxes on gasoline.gasoline.

2. Many hybrids get worse gas mileage than several conventional 2. Many hybrids get worse gas mileage than several conventional cars.cars.

3. The past tax breaks, with the 60,000 car cap, were essentially a 3. The past tax breaks, with the 60,000 car cap, were essentially a support for domestic car builders who were being beaten in the support for domestic car builders who were being beaten in the market by Japanese producers.market by Japanese producers.



Your decision:Your decision:

Support?Support?

Oppose?Oppose?



Majoritarian PoliticsMajoritarian Politics• Pollution from automobilesPollution from automobiles


Auto makers are bringing out Auto makers are bringing out more hybrid cars that use less more hybrid cars that use less gasoline. gasoline. Source: Raymond Forbes/MasterfileSource: Raymond Forbes/Masterfile

Highway congestion in California Highway congestion in California gets worse and uses up a lot of gets worse and uses up a lot of fuel. fuel. Source: Hendrik Holler/PhotoLibrarySource: Hendrik Holler/PhotoLibrary

Client PoliticsClient Politics• Agricultural pesticidesAgricultural pesticides


Environmentalists have used the protection of endangered species, such as the spotted owl, as a way of reducing timber harvests. p. 564 Source: William Campbell/ Corbis

Pesticides help Pesticides help grow better crops,grow better crops,but some worry but some worry they may harm thethey may harm theenvironment. p. environment. p. 564 Source: Jack 564 Source: Jack Clark/ The Image Clark/ The Image WorksWorks

What is the problem?What is the problem? What Are the Costs and Benefits?What Are the Costs and Benefits? What Are Our Goals?What Are Our Goals? How Do We Achieve Our Goals?How Do We Achieve Our Goals? Cap and TradeCap and Trade


The Environmental UncertaintiesThe Environmental Uncertainties

Environmental Policy

Education

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