Behind the acid rain facade

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Energy Law Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6260695

Bagge, C E

The key public policy issue raised by the acid rain debate is whether the nation should engage in another round of substantial reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions. The goal is not to protect the public from adverse health and welfare threats, as was the case in the 1960s and 70s. The author reviews the assumptions of the major legislative proposals and summarizes a consensus of those who have examined the scientific aspect of the issue. He then addresses the Clean Air Act and other legislative proposals to control acid rain in terms of their estimated national and regional costs and their likely impacts on the environment. He concludes that the real obstacle to legislation is the inherent unwillingness of the public to believe that benefits are comparable to the costs involved, regardless of who pays. 1 figure.

• OSTI ID: 6260695
• Journal Information: J. Energy Law Policy; (United States), Journal Name: J. Energy Law Policy; (United States) Vol. 6:2; ISSN JELPE
• 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
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHALCOGENIDES
CLEAN AIR ACT
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAWS
LEGISLATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION LAWS
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES