Economic Analyses at EPA: Assessing Regulatory Impact / Edition 1

by Richard D. Morgenstern

Overview

For years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been conducting programmatic 'economic analyses,' also known as Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIAs), to assess the economic effects of its regulatory efforts. This important volume explains the purpose of these analyses, along with their design, execution, conclusions, and their ultimate impact on environmental rules. Richard Morgenstern, formerly director of EPA‘s Office of Policy Analysis, has assembled twelve original case studies of RIAs performed over the past decade on matters such as lead in gasoline, ozone depletion, asbestos, clean drinking water, and sewage management. The contributors, most of whom actually worked on these RIAs, provide detailed examination of why and how they were performed. The case studies critique the nature, amount, and quality of data used by the EPA in their benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analyses as well as the use (or abuse) of the results in final decisionmaking. The authors illustrate how the analyses take into account difficult issues such as discounting, risk, nonmonetized benefits and costs, and equity. Morgenstern provides the necessary historical context and the legal framework for requiring and conducting EAs. He describes new procedures outlined by the Clinton administration and synthesizes the case studies into thoughtful cross-cutting conclusions, drawing important lessons that will improve future analyses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780915707836
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/25/1997
Series:	Resources for the Future Series
Edition description:	1
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Richard D. Morgenstern is a senior fellow at Resources for the Future.

Table of Contents

ForewordPaul R. PortneyPrefaceRichard D. Morgenstern1. Introduction to Economic Analyses at EPARichard D. Morgenstern2. The Legal and Institutional Setting for Economic Analysis at EPARichard D. Morgenstern3. Conducting an Economic Analysis: Rationale, Issues, and RequirementsRichard D. Morgenstern4. Lead in GasolineAlbert L. Nichols5. Water Pollution and the Organic Chemicals IndustryPeter Caulkins and Stuart Sessions6. Stratospheric-Ozone DepletionJames K. Hammitt7. AsbestosChristine M. Augustyniak8. Lead in Drinking WaterRonnie Levin9. Municipal Landfill ManagementSara Rasmussen10.Visibility at the Grand Canyon and the Navajo Generating StationLeland Deck11. Agricultural Pesticides and Worker ProtectionLouis P. True Jr.12. Vehicle Inspection/MaintenanceTodd Ramsden13. Municipal Sewage Sludge ManagementMahesh Podar, Susan Burris, and Robert S. Raucher14. Reformulated GasolineRobert C. Anderson and Richard A. Rykowski15. Great Lakes Water Quality GuidanceEloise Trabka Castillo, Mark L. Morris, and Robert S. Raucher16. Economic Analysis: Benefits, Costs, ImplicationsRichard D. Morgenstern and Marc K. Landy

Editorial Reviews

'Should be required reading for anyone who is seriously interested in sound environmental policy.'
Jonathan Lash, World Resources Institute

From the Publisher