Coping with uncertainty in environmental decisions
The three key common sense principles followed in TVA's decision on the soil erosion and stream blockage problem were also important factors in developing their position on acid precipitation. Despite uncertainties associated with acid precipitation, especially cause-and-effect relationships, facts were considered. A wealth of circumstantial evidence was revealed about the risks to sensitive ecosystems posed by acid precipitation. In order to minimize these risks, TVA decided to adopt the position that emissions should not be increased and, in fact, should be decreased until more information was available. A feedback system is established for fine tuning the program as more information is made known. An initial modest emissions cap could have served as the first step in an approach to controlling acid precipitation precursors in 1982. Decision makers cannot afford to wait until definitive answers to all uncertainties are reached. 8 references, 2 figures.
- Research Organization:
- Thermo Electron Engineering Corp., Waltham, MA
- OSTI ID:
- 5910928
- Journal Information:
- J. Soil Water Conserv.; (United States), Vol. 39:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
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