An argument in favor of the acid rain legislation

Links to Clean Air Act text and summaries Introduction Congress established much of the basic structure of the Clean Air Act inand made major revisions in and

Costs Lower, Benefits Greater Than Industry Estimates Overview Regulatory requirements to protect the environment, workers, and consumers often lead to innovation, increased productivity, and new businesses and jobs.

Although an argument is sometimes made that the cost of complying with regulations is too high, that the societal benefits do not justify the investment, or that job losses will result, a review of past regulations reveals just the opposite.

Historically, compliance costs have been less and benefits greater than industry predictions, and regulation typically poses little challenge to economic competitiveness. Recent rule-making, including regulations that curb carbon emissions and foster clean energy investments, are facing opposition from utilities.

Recent Opinions

As public comments on these proposed rules are reviewed, it is instructive to look back at industry projections and compare them to the documented impacts and benefits of previous regulatory measures.

The following table and case studies demonstrate a clear pattern among corporate and trade association opponents of overestimating the costs of regulation in their economic data.

Environmental Protection Agency responsibility for regulating sulfur dioxide under the Acid Rain Program, the utility industry said the program would increase costs for ratepayers, jeopardize reliability, and thwart development of clean coal technologies.

In testimony before the U. Automakers objected, asserting that manufacturing costs would rise, adding seat belts would give consumers the impression that vehicles are dangerous, and safety was not a selling point with customers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these restraints saved more thanlives between and and usage increased from 69 percent in to 88 percent in That changed, however, following the congressional mandate that car companies install automatic passive restraints for drivers, and air bags became the most popular compliance tool.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, air bags saved 25, lives from to The implementation of catalytic converters was so successful that the EPA revised its initial requirement of a 90 percent reduction in emissions and set new standards that compelled manufacturers to install catalytic converters in even more new cars by Owing to the widespread use of more efficient converters, hydrocarbon emissions fell from 3.

Industries that used CFCs said that it would take eight or nine years and be too costly to identify and deploy substitutes. However, cheaper and more environmentally acceptable alternatives emerged in less than two years.

History shows, however, that these cost-based assumptions focus on and overstate adverse economic impacts while devaluing societal benefits. Policymakers should account for any environmental and human health benefits as well as opportunities for economic growth presented by new or proposed regulations.

Research shows that regulation routinely fosters innovation and promotes economic competitiveness. Ruth Ruttenberg and Associates Inc. Elements of Success, World Resources Institutehttp:Despite this law, illegal drugs are usually. D. Acidic by-products of fossil fuel combustion that produce acid rain.

Clean Air Act Overview

Thursday, February 13, When the Clean Air Act Amendments of passed, lawmakers were more concerned about smog and acid rain than greenhouse gas emissions. The acidic droplets were even damaging the stone on Washington, D.

Answer: Which of the following is not an argument in favor of protecting domestic industries. from foreign competition? A.

• Clean Air Act Requirements and History | Overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution | US EPA
• Acid Rain Program Laws and Regulations | Clean Air Markets | US EPA
• Was Ronald Reagan Against Reducing Acid Rain in 80s? | Yahoo Answers
• The Pros and Cons of Cap and Trade | Steve Richey
• The Political History of Cap and Trade | Science | Smithsonian

National security. advances being made in acid rain control, but rather to enhance understanding of the need for a continuing revision of legislation, based upon the evolving nature of scientific knowledge.

Debate Issue: Environmental protection | initiativeblog.com

The most notable attempt at cap and trade legislation in the United States is The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES Act). (2) This bill was passed by the United States House of Representatives on June 28 of , but no comparable bill has been able to make it through the United States Senate.

Acid Rain Legislation Acid rain is a destructive force as a result of nature and man colliding. It is formed through harmful industrial emissions combining with contents . We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Renewable energy debate Jump to coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.

which add to global warming and lead to acid rain" that is killing trees in the same area.