Environmental policy and equity: The case of Superfund
- Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst (United States)
This article analyzes the equity implications of the EPA's Superfund program by examining the geographic distribution of sites, who pays for cleanup, and cleanup pace. Although the [open quotes]polluter pays[close quotes] principle is used to justify Superfund policy, it is a goal that is not and indeed usually cannot be attained for past contamination. Further, the geographic distribution of Superfund sites suggests that the likely beneficiaries of program expenditures live in counties that are on average both wealthier and more highly educated than the rest, and also have lower rates of poverty. The pace of the EPA's cleanups, however, depends mostly on the sites potential hazard, and is not apparently motivated by the localities socioeconomic characteristics or political representation. The program is found in several respects to be both inefficient and inequitable, yet Superfund enjoys considerable support for reasons beyond these traditional public policy goals, including its political and symbolic appeal. 36 refs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6501522
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Policy Analysis and Management; (United States), Vol. 12:2; ISSN 0276-8739
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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POLICY AND ECONOMY
POLLUTION
LIABILITIES
US SUPERFUND
POLITICAL ASPECTS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
ECONOMICS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAWS
POLLUTION LAWS
290200* - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation