This document summarizes key environmental policies and debates in the United States from the 1970s to present. It discusses the establishment of the EPA in response to issues like smog and acid rain. It also describes varied state approaches to environmental problems and key federal policies like the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. Additionally, it outlines policies around vehicle emissions, cap and trade systems, renewable energy, land use, green building codes and jobs. The conclusion notes ongoing public skepticism and the roles of states in responding to lack of federal action on climate change.

1. Chapter 16
Environment and
Climate Change

2. Emergence of
Environmental Awareness
• Smog
• Acid Rain
• Climate change is central to debates
– Global warming
– Greenhouse gases
– Carbon dioxide

3. Federalism and the
Environment
• US policies in the 1970s
– EPA
– Clean Air Act
– Clean Water Act

4. Federalism and the
Environment
• State response
– Varied
• Financial costs
• Political costs
• Skepticism
• Political culture
• Result is uncoordinated response to
environmental problems

5. Vehicle Emissions
Regulation
• Vehicle regulation
– Tailpipe emissions
– Fran Pavley
– Massachusetts v. EPA
– Federal emissions standards

6. Other Vehicle Regulations
• VMT
• Congestion pricing
• Gas taxes

7. Cap and Trade
• 1990 Clean Air Act
– Sulfur dioxide
• AB 32
– Greenhouse gases
• “Cap and tax”

8. Renewable Energy/Coal
• Renewable energy portfolios
• Regional challenges
• Coal plant cutbacks

9. Land Use
• Sprawl
• Zoning laws
• CA’s SB 375
• New Urbanism and Miami 21

10. Green Building/Green
Jobs
• Building codes
– LEED
• Weatherization
• Adaptation
• New jobs, green jobs
– How many?
– Debate: about jobs or the environment?

11. Conclusion
• Public skepticism
• Partisan divide
• International cooperation
• Federal inaction
• States and localities as first responders