Question 1

State and local governments have taken on greater responsibility for financing and operating environmental protection programs utilizing innovative policies. Which of the policies below is one of those?

Accepted Answer

All of these choices represent innovative policies adopted by state and local governments to finance and operate environmental protection programs, showcasing the diverse approaches taken to encourage renewable energy use and efficiency.

Question 2

The more than 700 million acres of public lands comprise almost one-third of the continental United States. Therefore,

Accepted Answer

The states, especially in the West, have historically sought more control and say in the management of public lands within their borders, aiming to influence how their natural resources are utilized.

Question 3

Some states have earned reputations as being more committed to environmental protection. Among the most highly rated are

Accepted Answer

Vermont, New York, Oregon, Washington, and Minnesota are known for their strong commitment to environmental protection, including policies on renewable energy, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices.

Question 4

Partial pre-emption is an approach common to federal environmental laws that

Accepted Answer

Partial pre-emption typically involves a requirement for states to apply federal environmental standards, allowing for a uniform baseline of environmental protection across the country while also permitting states to adopt more stringent standards if they choose.

Question 5

Government's role in environmental policy is generally seen to be

Accepted Answer

Governments often have to balance economic growth with environmental protection, considering the global economy and varying levels of environmental regulations in different countries. Choices B, C, and D represent extreme or unrealistic approaches that do not accurately reflect the nuanced role of government in environmental policy.

Question 6

States have actually exceeded federal environmental rules for all of the following reasons  except

Accepted Answer

State Chambers of Commerce and other business interests typically lobby for less regulation to reduce costs for businesses, not for exceeding federal environmental rules.

Question 7

A policy to deal with carbon emissions that sets an allowable level and then permits power plants to buy and sell the right to pollute is commonly called

Accepted Answer

Cap and trade is a policy approach that sets a limit (cap) on emissions and allows companies to buy and sell allowances that permit them to emit a certain amount of pollution. This system incentivizes companies to reduce emissions in the most cost-effective way.

Question 8

An important factor in the history of water pollution control is that

Accepted Answer

The national government stepped in to regulate water pollution control when it became apparent that the effects of polluted water crossed state and local boundaries, necessitating a broader, more unified approach to address the issue effectively.

Question 9

Recycling of solid wastes is

Accepted Answer

Recycling programs are widely supported, but their effectiveness can be limited by market demand for recycled materials, which can fluctuate with economic conditions. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because not all communities profit from recycling, public acceptance and state mandates vary widely, and the claim that 80 percent of trash is recycled is inaccurate.

Question 10

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)is

Accepted Answer

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cap-and-trade program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector by setting a limit on emissions and allowing companies to buy and sell allowances that permit them to emit a certain amount of CO2, thereby incentivizing reductions in pollution.

Question 11

The Environmental Protection Agency, the leading federal agency for environmental policy,

Accepted Answer

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent regulatory body that was created in 1970 to consolidate federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection.

Question 12

The federal Resource and Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA)provides that

Accepted Answer

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) allows states to operate their own hazardous waste programs as long as they meet minimum EPA standards and have the necessary enforcement capabilities. This option does not limit the ability to do so to any specific states or provide a timeline or number of states that have met these standards, making it the most accurate description of the RCRA's provisions.

Question 13

NIMTOO is an acronym that refers to

Accepted Answer

NIMTOO stands for "Not In My Term Of Office," reflecting politicians' reluctance to approve unpopular projects during their tenure.

Question 14

Some disadvantages of burning trash in waste-to-energy plants are that

Accepted Answer

Building incinerators is expensive, and they must meet high air quality standards, which are some disadvantages of burning trash in waste-to-energy plants.

Question 15

If Nebraska was to engage in relaxing regulations, lowering taxes, or reducing benefits to gain an advantage over competing states such as Kansas or Colorado who are engaging in the same activity, it is said to be participating in

Accepted Answer

This is known as a "race to the bottom," where states or countries compete to lower standards or reduce costs in a way that often results in negative consequences, such as reduced worker protections, environmental degradation, or lower tax revenues.

Question 16

Some states have passed laws to make it easier to redevelop abandoned industrial sites with real or perceived environmental contamination. Such sites are referred to as

Accepted Answer

Brownfields are abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities available for re-use but may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations.

Question 17

Too much regulation of business and industry to protect the environment can

Accepted Answer

Excessive regulation can increase operational costs, making it difficult for companies to compete with foreign firms that may not face similar regulations, potentially leading to closures or layoffs.

Question 18

Without government regulation or incentives, most firms that produce pollutants as a byproduct of their manufacturing process will usually

Accepted Answer

Without government regulation or incentives, firms typically prioritize profit maximization, which often involves minimizing costs, including those related to environmental protection. This can lead to less investment in reducing pollutants unless it directly benefits the firm financially.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a problem that the EPA faces?

Accepted Answer

The EPA often faces challenges such as conflicts with various entities, unattainable program goals set by Congress, and litigation. However, having more federal funding than what it needs is not a typical problem for the EPA; in fact, the agency frequently faces issues related to insufficient funding.

Question 20

The purpose of the Superfund is to

Accepted Answer

The Superfund, officially known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), was established to allow the federal government to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants. It also seeks to recover cleanup costs from responsible parties.

Quiz 18: Environmental Policy