Policy lessons from Exxon Valdez spill

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:7078248

Kelso, D D ^[1]; Brown, M D

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1. Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Juneau (United States)

The wreck of the Exxon Valdez in Prince william sound in Alaska leaves in its aftermath grave policy questions about how much risk the public should be asked to bear and how much industry should be required to do to prevent oil spills and to clean them up when they occur. But because of industry's inadequate response to the Exxon Valdez spill, this catastrophe will provide few solid answers say the authors. The results of the accident were clearly catastrophic: 1,200 miles of polluted shorelines, 260,000 to 580,000 dead birds, decreased biological productivity, and disruption of life and business in scores of seashore communities. As with any accident, prevention and preparedness are the twin concepts that underlie most post-accident policy analyses. Actions since the accident by both Congress and the state of Alaska to prevent such spills in the future are useful, kelso and Brown note. The lack of effective technology to clean up large oil spills was dramatically demonstrated in this incident, they add, making a national research and development undertaking essential. Public involvement in establishing standards for spill prevention, response preparedness, and cleanup is vital, Kelso and Brown emphasize, because in the final analysis, it is the public that is hurt if the prevention and response systems break down.

• OSTI ID: 7078248
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 6:4; ISSN 0887-8218; ISSN FARPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290301 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety-- Regional & Global Environmental Aspects-- (1992-)
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
ALASKA
CONTROL
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SPILLS
POLLUTION CONTROL
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
REMEDIAL ACTION
USA
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL