Method for examining policy implementation: a study of decision making for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 1964-1984

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5951760

Berry, M A

A comparison of selected decision-making requirements for six environmental statutes was undertaken to examine policy implementation behavior. The comparative study revealed that the procedure an agency uses to arrive at decisions accounts most directly for the implementation of decision-making requirements. To reinforce and extend the finding that agency decision-making (policy-making) is primarily a function of its procedural process and to demonstrate the research method, the decisions on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) required by the Clean Air Act were reconstructed from the public record for 1964-1984. The purpose was to identify the origins and measure the accomplishment times of the steps of the NAAQS decision-making process; isolate the main causes for delays; and highlight the strengths, weaknesses, and behavior of the process. The quantification of the process shows it to be an inefficient use of government time and ineffective in complying with Clean Air Act requirements. The main factors contributing to the proliferation of decision-making steps was found to be the EPA's concern of how the courts might eventually judge the process and the constant involvement of Congress and pressure groups outside the Agency. Litigation and the courts appear to be the driving forces behind decision-making when decisions are made.

• OSTI ID: 5951760
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
500600* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR QUALITY
CLEAN AIR ACT
COMPLIANCE
DECISION MAKING
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
IMPLEMENTATION
LAWS
POLLUTION LAWS
STANDARDS