environmental policies. current status u.s. environmental policy often favors corporate interests...
TRANSCRIPT
Environmental Policies
Current Status• U.S. environmental policy often
favors corporate interests over economic interests.
Examples:o BP Oil Spill (insufficient
enforcement of oil regulations)o Clean Air Act Violations and
extension• Majority of controversy over
economic policy often takes place between business interests and environmental groups (Greenpeace, Sierra Club).
• Environmental Policy in the U.S. is much different from environmental policy in the rest of the world.
(Source 4)
Environmental Policy in the U.S.• Environmental policy has the most
civilian and interest group input because it affects all of us (in most cases)
• Economic Policy often comes at the expense of environmental interests
• Scientific Controversy (ex: Global Warming)
• Most are supporters of the environment, but many don't follow through and attempt to do so (ex: carpooling and gas rationing)
• Popular topic among politicians(Source 4)
Public Opinion• Environmental policy is heavily
influenced through the moods of the public
• These moods are often dictated by current events and the mediao Exxon Valdez o Three Mile Islando BP Oil Spill
• Politicians often tie themselves to an environmental rhetoric to gain support
• Exampleso An Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore)o Love Canal (David Axelrod)o Global Warming Solutions Act
(Arnold Schwarzenegger)
(Source 2)
Environmental Policy Elements• Airborne
Pollutants (Smog)• Greenhouse Gas
Emissions (Global Warming)
• Acid Rain• Toxic Waste• Pesticide Usage• Protecting the
environment (oil spills and resource shortages)
• Household Refuse(Source 4)
Clean Air Act Overview• First installed in 1963• Enforcement fell on state governments• "If you want this town to grow, it has to stink" • Deadlines were ultimately not met, and were extended in light of
business interests
• "The approach was a notable failure. By 1970, fewer than three dozen air quality regions had been designated, as compared to an anticipated number in excess of 100.
• Moreover, not a single state had developed a full pollution control program."
• Revisions in 1970,1977, 1990• Many of the goals fell through because
Federal government couldn't give the time and attention to the cause
• They essentially fixed problems as opposed to preventing them
(Source 3)
Exxon Violations • Lawsuit filed by Sierra Club and
Environment Texas claiming that the largest oil refinery in the U.S., operated in Texas,"...has released more than 8 million pounds of illegal pollution in the past 5 years".
• Texas leads the nation with the most oil refineries
• "State regulators say their rules decrease pollution, but are not so stringent that it becomes too expensive to operate in the state."
• Texas has been criticized by the EPA and several other interest groups for their generous regulations
(Source 5)
BP Oil Spill
• The drill's seal was destroyed by a crewman's error
• Drilling could have been postponed, but postponing the drilling would have
cost BP potential oilo Supervisors ignored
early signs of a disaster • 11 killed, 17 injured
• Devastating effect on Gulf wildlife(Source 6)
Deepwater Horizon
BP Oil Spill: Effect on Government• President Obama showed
that the Oil Spill was a concern of the national government as well as state governments by visiting the affected areas.
• The federal government had
to find ways to not only to remedy the problem but also prevent it.
BP Oil Spill: Fixing the Problem
• Government had to make sure that BP would repay all of the residents of the Gulf Coast unable to work as a result of the Oil Spill.
• Had to show that government was making an active effort of stopping the spillage and preventing the oil from spreading.Ken Feinberg
BP Oil Spill: Long Term Effect on Government
• President Obama has launched an investigation into the causes of the spill and ways to prevent it.o Investigation found that the spill
was preventable o Government employees who were
assigned to surveillance of the oil companies' actions did not carry out their duties correctly.
• These findings will mostly result in not only more strict regulation of oil companies, but also more strict punishments for government regulators overlooking questionable actions of the oil companies.
Executives from TransOcean, Halliburton, and BP being sworn
in in court.
(Source 1)
Works Consulted 1. "BBC News - US Oil Spill: 'Bad Management' Led to BP Disaster." BBC - Homepage. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12124830>.2. Saad, Lydia. "Americans Firm in Prioritizing Economy Over Environment." Gallup.Com - Daily News, Polls, Public Opinion on Government, Politics, Economics, Management. 18 Mar. 2010. Web. 09 Jan. 2011. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/126788/americans-firm-prioritizing-economy-environment.aspx>.3. Rogers, Paul G. "The Clean Air Act of 1970." EPA Journal (1990): n. pag. Web. 9 Jan 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/caa70/11.htm>4. Wilson, James Q., and John J. Dilulio Jr. "Environmental Policy." American Government. 9th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. 585-98. Print.5. Associated Press. "Environmentalists Sue ExxonMobil over Clean Air Act Violations." Mother Nature Network. 14 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/environmentalists-sue-exxonmobil-over-clean-air-act-viola>.6. 60 Minutes Oil Spill Shocker. Dir. 60 Minutes. CBS, 2010. Television.7. BP Spills Coffee - CollegeHumor Video. Dir. College Humor. CollegeHumor - Funny Videos, Funny Pictures,Funny Links! 6 June 2010. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. <http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1937317>.
