Environmental Policy

1. Chapter 21Chapter 21
EnvironmentalEnvironmental
PolicyPolicy

2. Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage
 WHO GOVERNS?WHO GOVERNS?
1.1. Why have environmental issues becomeWhy have environmental issues become
so important in American politics andso important in American politics and
policymaking?policymaking?
2.2. Does the public get the environmentalDoes 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 themhow far should we go in making them
cleaner when the cost of each additionalcleaner when the cost of each additional
gain goes up?gain goes up?
2.2. What is the best way for the governmentWhat is the best way for the government
to achieve an environmental goal: byto achieve an environmental goal: by
issuing orders or offering incentives?issuing orders or offering incentives?

3. The American ContextThe American Context
 Entrepreneurial PoliticsEntrepreneurial Politics
• Pollution from stationary sourcesPollution from stationary sources
Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage
The fight over climate
change pits people who
use coal with those
who oppose burning it.
Source: Robert Nickelsberg/Getty
Images

4. 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.
Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

5. Arguments for incentives:Arguments for incentives:
1. We need to reduce gasoline consumption and our dependence on1. 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 electric3. A tax break to buyers of hybrid vehicles that rely on both electric
and gasoline engines will provide a stable market that willand gasoline engines will provide a stable market that will
encourage sales.encourage sales.
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WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

6. Arguments against incentives:Arguments against incentives:
1. We can more easily cut fuel consumption by raising taxes on1. We can more easily cut fuel consumption by raising taxes on
gasoline.gasoline.
2. Many hybrids get worse gas mileage than several conventional2. Many hybrids get worse gas mileage than several conventional
cars.cars.
3. The past tax breaks, with the 60,000 car cap, were essentially a3. The past tax breaks, with the 60,000 car cap, were essentially a
support for domestic car builders who were being beaten in thesupport for domestic car builders who were being beaten in the
market by Japanese producers.market by Japanese producers.
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WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

7. Your decision:Your decision:
Support?Support?
Oppose?Oppose?
Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

8. Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage

9.  Majoritarian PoliticsMajoritarian Politics
• Pollution from automobilesPollution from automobiles
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Auto makers are bringing outAuto makers are bringing out
more hybrid cars that use lessmore hybrid cars that use less
gasoline.gasoline.
Source: Raymond Forbes/MasterfileSource: Raymond Forbes/Masterfile
Highway congestion in CaliforniaHighway congestion in California
gets worse and uses up a lot ofgets worse and uses up a lot of
fuel.fuel.
Source: Hendrik Holler/PhotoLibrarySource: Hendrik Holler/PhotoLibrary

10. Copyright © 2011 CengageCopyright © 2011 Cengage

11.  Client PoliticsClient Politics
• Agricultural pesticidesAgricultural pesticides
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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 helpPesticides help
grow better crops,grow better crops,
but some worrybut some worry
they may harm thethey may harm the
environment. p.environment. p.
564 Source: Jack564 Source: Jack
Clark/ The ImageClark/ The Image
WorksWorks

12.  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
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The Environmental UncertaintiesThe Environmental Uncertainties