Deck 52: Environmental Regulation

Question 1

The federal government has a comprehensive program to fight climate change.

Answer 1

False
Explanation: The United States does not have a comprehensive plan to tackle climate change and regulatory efforts on this issue are left to nonprofit organizations and State governments.

Question 2

The Toxic Substances Control Act gives the EPA the authority to regulate the production and use of agricultural chemicals such as insecticides.

Answer 2

False
Explanation: The Federal Insecticide,Fungicide,and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)gives EPA the authority to register pesticides before they can be sold,to provide for the certification of appliers of pesticides designated for restrictive use,to set limits on the pesticide residue permitted on crops that provide food for people or animals,and to register and inspect pesticide manufacturing establishments.

Question 3

Clean up of Superfund sites is paid for by federal tax funds.

Answer 3

True
Explanation: The EPA uses federal tax funds to pay for the cleanup of Superfund sites.

Question 4

The EPA bears the primary responsibility for the siting and regulation of solid waste disposal.

Question 5

According to the NEPA,every business contemplating a project must file an environmental impact statement.

Question 6

The EPA regulates underground storage tanks,such as those used for gasoline.

Question 7

Under the Clean Water Act,the states have the main responsibility for regulating water pollution.

Question 8

The Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1987 set up a permit system regulating the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters.

Question 9

A shortcoming of the CERCLA is that the federal and state governments must bear the sole financial burden for cleaning up the sites.

Question 10

Every state or local municipality must file an environmental impact statement under NEPA.

Question 11

The Clean Water Act incorporates both civil and criminal sanctions.

Question 12

The preconstruction review process required under the Clean Air Act applies to new facilities as well as existing facilities that undergo modifications.

Question 13

No manufacturer may sell vehicles subject to emission standards without prior certification from the EPA.

Question 14

The EPA's "tailoring rule" would require certain new large sources to address their greenhouse gas emissions as they get permits.

Question 15

The Clean Water Act establishes a program governing the injection of wastes into wells.

Question 16

Violators can only be subjected to civil penalties for failure to fulfill the hazardous waste regulations promulgated under RCRA.

Question 17

The Clean Water Act sets up a permit system for any dredging or filling activity in wetlands that is administered by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Question 18

State governments establish the standard for drinking water in the United States.

Question 19

Under the Clean Air Act,the federal government is required to develop a state implementation plan for meeting national ambient air quality standards in every state.

Question 20

The Clean Air Act provides the framework for the current approach to air pollution.

Question 21

Which of the following is a part of the comprehensive federal plan to combat climate change?

A) Fossil fuel taxes
B) An executive order to have all federal buildings equipped with solar power
C) A federal mandate to reduce coal emissions by 2016
D) There is no comprehensive federal plan to combat global climate change

Question 22

Which of the following statements about vehicle emission standards under the Clean Air Act is accurate?

A) Individual owners need to get their vehicles certified by the EPA for emission standards.
B) Manufacturers are required to warrant that certified vehicles will always meet emission standards.
C) EPA can order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles that do not meet emission standards.
D) EPA performs emission tests on all the vehicles it certifies for emission standards.

Question 23

The _____,enacted in 1970,required that an environmental impact statement be prepared for every recommendation or report on legislation and for every major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the environment.

A) Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
B) Clean Air Act
C) National Environmental Policy Act
D) Toxic Substances Control Act

Question 24

Which of the following was an unintentional effect of the 1970 Clean Air Act?

A) Decrease in the output of electricity generated
B) Development of clean-fueled vehicles
C) Sudden increase in the prices of clean fuels
D) Long range transport of some pollutants

Question 25

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)sets a "primary standard" for air pollution.This standard is designed to protect against harm to:

A) human health.
B) animal health.
C) plant health.
D) climate health.

Question 26

Which of the following statements about the permit system established by Congress through the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act is accurate?

A) Permits under the permit system are issued by the EPA.
B) The permit system was established by Congress in 1970.
C) A state permitting program is approved by each concerned state.
D) The permits contain monitoring and reporting requirements.

Question 27

Which of the following statutes enacted by Congress is also known as the "Refuse Act"?

A) The Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act
B) The Safe Drinking Water Act
C) The Clean Water Act
D) The River and Harbor Act

Question 28

Which of the following is true of U.S.efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions?

A) In 2009,EPA issued a rule requiring annual reports of greenhouse gas emissions by certain large sources,beginning in 2011.
B) The House of Representatives established a cap and trade program-similar to the acid rain control program-for greenhouse gas emissions.
C) The EPA is barred from taking any actions to deal with greenhouse gas emissions.
D) The EPA introduced the "tailoring rule" that requires all sources to address their greenhouse gas emissions as they get permits.

Question 29

The _____ provided that people had to obtain a discharge permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to deposit or discharge refuse into a navigable waterway.

A) The Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act
B) The Safe Drinking Water Act
C) Toxic Substances Control Act
D) The River and Harbor Act

Question 30

Which of the following is true of the emission trading scheme provided by the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act?

A) Allowances can be traded between companies,but cannot be sold.
B) It requires companies to file an environmental impact statement.
C) It applies only to those companies engaged in interstate commerce.
D) Allowances can be sold to government,but not among private firms.

Question 31

As a result of regulation of fuel additives by the Clean Air Act,_____ was largely phased out of use as an octane enhancer in gasoline.

A) toluene
B) lead
C) methanol
D) nitrous oxide

Question 32

Brilliant Manufacturing is building a new factory.What kind of air pollution control technology must Brilliant install in its factory according to the Clean Air Act?

A) The best available state-of-the-art technology
B) Technology that its competitors in the industry are using
C) The most cost-efficient technology
D) Technology in line with the local air quality

Question 33

NEPA is what type of law?

A) Federal law that affects all federal agencies and federal action
B) State law affecting state agencies across all 50 States
C) International law impacting State action
D) Municipal law that impacts federal action

Question 34

Which of the following statements about the problem of acid rain is accurate?

A) The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act addressed the problem of acid rain by requiring the installation of scrubbers.
B) The 1970 Clean Air Act addressed the problem of acid rain by providing for an emission trading scheme.
C) The 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act addressed the problem of acid rain by instructing electric generating facilities to build tall smokestacks.
D) The 1970 Clean Air Act addressed the problem of acid rain by requiring the installation of clean-coal technologies.

Question 35

The EPA has set national ambient air quality standards for:

A) chlorofluorocarbons.
B) sulfur oxide.
C) carbon dioxide.
D) methane.

Question 36

Who has the primary responsibility for preventing,reducing,and eliminating water pollution under the Clean Water Act of 1972?

A) The federal government
B) State government
C) Local (county)governments
D) Businesses

Question 37

The 1970 Clean Air Act required the EPA to regulate the emission of toxic air pollutants.Which of the following toxic air pollutants did the EPA set standards for under this authority?

A) Toluene
B) Phenol
C) Asbestos
D) Selenium

Question 38

Which of the following is true of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?

A) It does not apply to businesses in states that have their own state laws in place.
B) Citizens can force federal agencies to comply with the NEPA.
C) It requires that state governments ensure that all entities within state borders submit environmental impact statements.
D) The NEPA requires that all businesses file an environmental impact statement before a project is undertaken.

Question 39

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)combine with _____ under the influence of sunlight to become ozone-also known as smog.

A) nitrogen oxides
B) carbon monoxide
C) chlorofluorocarbons
D) sulfur oxides

Question 40

Which of the following was the earliest federal legislation enacted to protect water bodies against pollution?

A) The Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act
B) The Safe Drinking Water Act
C) The Clean Water Act
D) The River and Harbor Act

Question 41

Which of the following statements about ocean dumping is accurate?

A) The states have the responsibility for designating ocean disposal sites under the Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act.
B) The Clean Water Act has provisions for regulation of the disposal of dredge spoils from dredging to keep harbors open.
C) The Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act set up a permit system regulating the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters.
D) The Clean Water Act required that all ocean dumping of municipal sewage sludge and industrial wastes be terminated by end of the 20^th century.

Question 42

The term "Superfund" refers to:

A) the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
B) the pool of money collected to compensate victims of nuclear reactor disasters.
C) the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
D) the fund that the automobile industry must maintain to develop alternative-fuel vehicles.

Question 43

The _____ gives the federal government and the states the authority to regulate facilities that generate,treat,store,and dispose of hazardous waste.

A) Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act
B) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
C) Oil Pollution Prevention,Response,Liability and Compensation Act
D) Toxic Substances Control Act

Question 44

John owned a parcel of land on which he wanted to build an apartment building.However,his land is a swamp and he could not get a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to drain the swamp.He had to buy a neighboring piece of land and build the apartment on that.Since he has been effectively deprived of being able to make any economically viable use of his property,his attorney suggests that he may be able to pursue a claim for regulatory taking and receive compensation from the government for the fair market value of the interest of his land.What is the basis for such a claim?

A) The Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act
B) The Fourth Amendment
C) The Clean Water Act
D) The Fifth Amendment

Question 45

Which of the following regulates the manufacture and use of pesticides?

A) FIFRA
B) TSCA
C) RCRA
D) CERCLA

Question 46

John owns a parcel of land on which he wants to build an apartment building.However,John's land is currently a swamp;he wants to drain it.John should apply for a permit to drain the swamp from:

A) the Army Corps of Engineers.
B) the Wetland Preservation Board.
C) the Environmental Protection Agency.
D) the National Institute of Health.

Question 47

The permit program for any dredging or filling activity in a wetland is administered by the:

A) Army Corps of Engineers.
B) Wetland Preservation Board.
C) Environmental Protection Agency.
D) National Institute of Health.

Question 48

The Environmental Protection Agency administers the "Superfund." The cost of cleaning up a Superfund site can be substantial.Where does the money come from to pay for this?

A) Federal tax revenues
B) State tax revenues
C) Fees assessed against all chemical companies
D) Fees assessed against all corporations that use chemicals

Question 49

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)is also known as the:

A) Ocean Dumping Ban Act.
B) River and Harbor Act.
C) Safe Drinking Water Act.
D) Clean Water Act.

Question 50

Which of the following is true of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act?

A) Failure to comply with its regulations incurs civil penalties,but not criminal penalties.
B) It gives the federal government and the states the authority to regulate facilities that generate,treat,store,and dispose of hazardous waste.
C) It focuses on cleaning up past disposal sites threatening public health and the environment.
D) Its programs are centrally coordinated and administered directly by the central government.

Question 51

What agency regulates underground waste disposal units in the United States?

A) EPA
B) IRS
C) SEC
D) FTC

Question 52

Which of the following is true of the Clean Water Act?

A) The act enforces criminal sanctions against offenders.
B) The act mandates civil sanctions against offenders.
C) The act is enforced by the federal and the state governments.
D) Violation of the act results in fines,but not imprisonment.

Question 53

Which of the following is true of the Safe Drinking Water Act?

A) The primary responsibility of complying with the established standards lies with the federal government.
B) It applies to public water bodies and water suppliers,and not to private suppliers.
C) The EPA sets primary drinking water standards,minimum levels of quality for water consumed by humans.
D) It set up a permit system regulating the dumping of all types of materials into ocean waters.

Question 54

Which of the following is an essential responsibility of the EPA under the Marine Protection,Research,and Sanctuaries Act?

A) Designating sites for disposal into oceans
B) Regulating disposal of dredge spoils
C) Overseeing dumping of sewage sludge
D) Conducting the dredging of harbors

Question 55

The toxic waste dump cleanups required by CERCLA:

A) are funded entirely by a tax on chemicals and feedstocks.
B) are funded entirely by the state in question.
C) are funded entirely by the responsible party or parties.
D) are funded entirely by the "Superfund."

Question 56

Which of the following must obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)permit?

A) A manufacturing firm buries its hazardous waste materials in a special dump.
B) A factory discharges industrial wastewater from a point source into a river.
C) An apartment building discharges domestic sewage to a publicly owned treatment works.
D) A chemical plant discharges wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works.

Question 57

The Clean Water Act:

A) gives the federal government the primary responsibility for regulating the country's waters.
B) lacks provisions for private action by affected citizens or groups of citizens.
C) sets up a permit system for dredging and filling activities in wetlands.
D) allows discharge only of domestic sewage to a publicly owned treatment works.

Question 58

Which of the following can issue both National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)permits and industrial discharge permits?

A) The states
B) The federal government
C) Sewage treatment plants
D) The EPA

Question 59

The National Priority List was drawn by the EPA with reference to which of the following statutes?

A) Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
B) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
C) Resource Recovery Act
D) Toxic Substances Control Act

Question 60

Anyone who discharges wastewater,other than just domestic sewage,to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW)must obtain what is known as a(n)_____ permit from the local sewage treatment plant where the discharge is being sent or from the state.

A) industrial discharge
B) Water Pollution Control System
C) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
D) national industrial discharge

Question 61

Companion regulations promulgated by EPA and enforced by the Food and Drug Administration control the amount of pesticide residue that can remain on raw and processed food intended for human or animal consumption.These regulations establish what are known as:

A) allowances.
B) permits.
C) tolerances.
D) blocs.

Question 62

How are the cleanups of hazardous waste sites required by CERCLA funded?

Question 63

How does the Clean Water Act regulate wetlands?

Question 64

What year was the Toxic Substances Control Act passed?

A) 2001
B) 1970
C) 1981
D) 1976

Question 65

Which of the following is true of the international standards for the premanufacture screening of new chemicals?

A) The U.S.regulation requires companies to demonstrate that a chemical is safe before it is produced and distributed.
B) The EU regulations dealing with premanufacture screening of chemicals follow the precautionary principle.
C) The EU restrictions on the production of chemicals that have been linked to health problems will have little or no effect on the U.S.chemical exports to the EU.
D) The European Union requires regulators to show that products or their uses present an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment before they can be regulated or taken off the market.

Question 66

The Coriolis Corporation is building a new widget plant near Honolulu,HI.Coriolis is not worried much about the expenses of installing air pollution control equipment considering Honolulu came out as the U.S.city with the best air quality according to the "State of the Air 2011" report by the American Lung Association.Do you agree with Coriolis's stance? Under the Clean Air Act,what kind of air pollution control equipment must Coriolis install in the plant? Why?

Question 67

The European Union regulatory scheme is premised on what is known as the _____ principle that requires companies to demonstrate that a chemical is safe before it is produced and distributed.

A) exclusion
B) precautionary
C) equivalence
D) uncertainty

Question 68

What are the essential constituents of an environmental impact statement (EIS)? How are business people affected by the EIS requirement?

Question 69

What is meant by the term "National Priority List"?

Question 70

FIFRA regulates what environmental area?

A) Agricultural chemicals
B) Clean drinking water
C) Fishing waters
D) City air quality