Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Law
Effectiveness Of The Epa's Regulatory Enforcement: The Case Of Industrial Effluent Standards, W. Kip Viscusi, Wesley A. Magat
Effectiveness Of The Epa's Regulatory Enforcement: The Case Of Industrial Effluent Standards, W. Kip Viscusi, Wesley A. Magat
Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications
The EPA water pollution regulations-the focus of this study- represent an interesting departure from past patterns of regulatory failure. First, the nature of the regulations-discharge limits-relates directly to the policy objective of controlling pollution, and there is no potential for offsetting behavioral responses. If the pollution standards are binding and enforced, they should improve water quality. Second, the enforcement effort is so extensive that enforcement should affect firms' compliance. In the pulp and paper industry, which we will analyze, the EPA averages roughly one inspection annually per major pollution source. In addition, firms are required to file monthly discharge monitoring …
Sources Of Inconsistency In Societal Responses To Health Risks, W. Kip Viscusi
Sources Of Inconsistency In Societal Responses To Health Risks, W. Kip Viscusi
Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications
Society has until recently devoted insufficient attention to the long-run environmental problems that we face, including acid rain and the greenhouse effect. Our inaction with respect to these risks can hardly be characterized as a rational response or an overreaction to risk. There are three possible explanations of such diverse phenomena. First, one could simply dismiss this behavior as being the result of inconsistent and irrational behavior. Second, one could devise ad hoc explanations of why individuals underreact in some instances and overreact in others. A third possibility is to reconcile this seemingly inconsistent behavior with a consistent theoretical framework. …