Env. Orders/Policies Pt.1

Written by: Caroline Kim

November 12, 2022

Research and other environmental studies are areas of high interest for me; but I also believe in policy that ensues the conclusions drawn from such studies. This ensures that the research done holds purpose and allows for meaningful change in the world. Though there is still plenty of room for improvement within out environmental policy system, some significant acts and executive orders exist that help promote global and environmental health. We’ll cover an array of acts and policies in this series; today, we’ll dive into the CAA, CERCLA, MPRSA, NEPA, and RCRA).

The Clean Air Act (CAA) holds the exact purpose of its name: combat air pollution. Essentially, this act “... regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources… establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards” (Summary of the Clean Air Act). Enforcing these standards and requirements allows not only for environmental safety, but also protects the safety of people through investigations and inspections. The act has been amended over time to set new requirements in order to meet the expectations of NAAQS.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) “provides a Federal "Superfund" to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites… accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants…” (Summary of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund). This act allows for a response system in case of emergency spills or leaks that need immediate attention; it is crucial and necessary for emergency situations such as oil spills or factory accidents.

The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) serves to control the dumping of material into oceans. Essentially, it limits transportation of material for dumping and limits dumping by U.S. flagged vessels or from the outside into U.S. territorial seas (Summary of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act). This act both protects against ocean pollution and fosters the safety of marine life.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), ensures the consideration of environmental health by the federal government, providing ecological recognition (Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act). “NEPA requirements are invoked when airports, buildings, military complexes, highways, parkland purchases, and other federal activities are proposed” (Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act). It was one of the first ever federal environmental acts, and is a foundation for numerous other environmental safety acts.

Lastly for this week, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) allows the EPA power to manage the “... generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste”(Summary of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act). An example of implementation might include underground petroleum tanks and which was amended into the act in 1986 (Summary of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act).

In the following weeks, we’ll explore more executive orders and acts that protect our environmental health, but it is clear that they all function together as a whole, promoting the progression of environmental awareness.

Sources:

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders.

“Summary of the Clean Air Act.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act.

“Summary of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund).” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-comprehensive-environmental-response-compensation-and-liability-act.

“Summary of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-marine-protection-research-and-sanctuaries-act.

“Summary of the National Environmental Policy Act.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-national-environmental-policy-act.

“Summary of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-resource-conservation-and-recovery-act.

“Environmental Law: A Beginner's Guide: Federal Laws.” Research Guides, https://guides.loc.gov/environmental-law/federal-laws.