Question 1

Truan,Inc.has decided to market a new pesticide.Truan must register the pesticide with the EPA.

Accepted Answer

It is a requirement by law for any company selling or distributing pesticides to register the product with the EPA. This ensures that the pesticide does not cause harm to human health or the environment.

Question 2

An Environmental Impact Statement must be prepared for every major federal action that significantly affects the quality of the environment.

Accepted Answer

This statement is consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which mandates that federal agencies prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major actions that may have significant environmental effects.

Question 3

The disposal of nonhazardous solid waste has generally been left to the states.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The regulation and management of nonhazardous solid waste is mainly under the jurisdiction of state governments in the United States. Federal laws such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) provide a framework for state regulation, but it is up to each state to implement and enforce their own solid waste management programs.

Question 4

The cost-benefit trade-off is particularly complex in environmental issues because those who pay the cost often are not the ones who receive the benefit.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. For example, a factory that pollutes a river may save money by not adequately treating their wastewater, but downstream communities may suffer the negative health and environmental impacts. This cost-benefit trade-off is complex because the factory may not directly suffer the negative consequences of their actions, but still benefits financially. Similarly, investing in renewable energy may have upfront costs, but can provide long-term benefits to society and the environment, which may not be immediately realized by those making the investment.

Question 5

Weste,Inc.decided to expand by building a $50 million manufacturing facility.Weste,Inc.is not a federal agency and the expansion is not regulated or approved by the government.Nevertheless,Weste must prepare an environmental impact statement.

Accepted Answer

Weste, Inc., as a private entity not undertaking a project regulated or approved by the government, is not required to prepare an environmental impact statement, which is typically mandated for projects with significant federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Question 6

We Care,a nonprofit environmental organization,believes that Quanaco is violating the Clean Air Act.The EPA has not taken any action against Quanaco.We Care can file a citizens' suit against the EPA.

Accepted Answer

As per the Clean Air Act, citizens may file a lawsuit against the EPA if they believe the agency has failed to enforce the law. This type of lawsuit is called a citizens' suit. Therefore, We Care can file a citizens' suit against the EPA if they believe Quanaco is violating the Clean Air Act and the EPA has not taken any action.

Question 7

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)was created by Congress to

Accepted Answer

The EPA was created by Congress in 1970, with the goal of consolidating environmental regulations under one agency and protecting human health and the environment. The EPA was created in response to growing public concern about environmental pollution and the need for a central agency to oversee environmental protection efforts.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a provision of the Clean Air Act?

Accepted Answer

The consolidation of environmental regulation under one agency is not a provision within the Clean Air Act. The act was signed into law in 1970 and has been amended several times since. Its main purpose is to regulate air pollution on a national level and to protect public health and welfare from harmful pollutants in the air. The provisions of the Clean Air Act include the establishment of national ambient air quality standards, the prevention of significant deterioration program, and the regulation of stationary sources.

Question 9

Under the Clean Air Act,

Accepted Answer

Under the Clean Air Act, states and the EPA were to act as partners, and the individual states were required to formulate state implementation plans to meet primary and secondary standards created by the EPA. This allowed for flexibility in meeting the standards while still ensuring national air quality goals were being met.

Question 10

Chemicals are so common in consumer products that babies are now born with hundreds of chemicals in their blood.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that babies are born with hundreds of chemicals in their blood, passed down from their mothers. Chemicals such as phthalates, flame retardants, and pesticides can be found in everyday products like food, furniture, and personal care items.

Question 11

A Japanese company operates a ship called the Kinia.If the Kinia sails in U.S.waters,it must comply with design standards set by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.

Accepted Answer

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 sets design standards for ships operating in U.S. waters, regardless of the nationality of the company operating the ship. Therefore, if the Kinia sails in U.S. waters, it must comply with these standards.

Question 12

Which program was designed as a method for limiting air pollutants in an economically efficient manner by allowing enterprises to sell its leftover emissions allowance to other companies or stockpile it for future use?

Accepted Answer

Cap and trade is a market-based approach to controlling pollution that sets a limit (or "cap") on emissions from a particular industry or region. Companies are then allocated a certain number of permits to emit emissions, which they can sell to other companies or hold onto for future use. This creates a system where companies can profit from reducing their emissions and incentivizes them to reduce their overall pollution levels. The Paris Accord is a global agreement to combat climate change, TMDL is a framework for regulating water pollution, and RCRA regulates the management of hazardous waste.

Question 13

Cincy,Inc.is building a $20 million addition onto its distribution facility.To build the facility,Cincy must fill in two acres of wetlands.Under the Clean Water Act,Cincy must obtain a permit before filling in the wetlands.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act requires obtaining a permit before filling in wetlands.

Question 14

Under the ______ administration,the United States withdrew from the Paris Accord,an international agreement to prevent climate change.

Accepted Answer

President Donald Trump's administration was responsible for the United States withdrawing from the Paris Accord in 2017.

Question 15

A person who violates the Clean Water Act can face possible imprisonment in addition to other penalties.

Accepted Answer

The Clean Water Act (CWA) has criminal and civil provisions that can result in imprisonment, fines, or both for violators.

Question 16

TriColor,Inc.purchased a piece of land from HBC,Inc.Hazardous waste was subsequently discovered on the land.Even though TriColor did nothing illegal,it may be liable under CERCLA for the cleanup costs.

Accepted Answer

CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act) imposes strict liability on current and previous owners and operators of contaminated properties, regardless of whether they were responsible for the contamination. Therefore, even though TriColor did nothing illegal, it may be held liable for the cleanup costs of the hazardous waste on the land it purchased from HBC, Inc.

Question 17

Armand Industries is producing a foul-smelling odor as a by-product of its factory's operations.However,the emission is not harmful to the health of those exposed to it.Armand would be subject to a primary national ambient air quality standard established by the EPA.

Accepted Answer

If the emission is not harmful to human health, it is not subject to primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established by the EPA. However, it may still be subject to other state or local air quality regulations.

Question 18

The prevention of significant deterioration (PSD)program was developed to prevent deterioration in air quality that would create health problems for those affected.

Accepted Answer

The PSD program was primarily established to prevent significant deterioration of air quality in areas where air quality is better than the national standards, focusing on maintaining good air quality rather than directly addressing health problems.

Question 19

Local regulation is more effective than state or federal regulation in controlling air pollution.

Accepted Answer

Local regulations can be important for addressing specific pollution sources, but air pollution often crosses local boundaries, making state or federal regulations more effective for widespread control and ensuring uniform standards across larger areas.

Question 20

The EPA will allow individual states' air pollution level to rise as long as it still meets the EPA's existing national standards.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The EPA will allow individual states' air...

Quiz 40: Environmental Law