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The Impact of Scrubber Technology Under the 1977 Clean Air Act: An Analysis of Air Quality and Policy

The Clean Air Act of 1977 mandated the use of scrubbers to control air pollution, leading to mixed outcomes. While it resulted in cleaner air in the West, it paradoxically contributed to dirtier air in the East, alongside increased electricity costs. The technological advancements in scrubber efficiency remain a subject of debate, with effectiveness still questioned. This analysis explores the decision-making processes influenced by interest groups and policy constraints, examining how these factors shape environmental regulation and the long-term effects on air quality.

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The Impact of Scrubber Technology Under the 1977 Clean Air Act: An Analysis of Air Quality and Policy

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  1. The scrubbers outcome • Clean Air Act of 1977 in effect mandated scrubbers • delegated the decision to EPA which, given the constraints, had little or no choice • Short-term consequences • dirtier air in the East • cleaner air in the West • higher electricity costs* • Longer-term consequences • scrubber technology improved, but... • overall effectiveness still questioned • SO2and particulates removed. With latter also go alkalines. Net effects unclear • Tradable permits regulatory mechanism of choice now, with reservations…objections [distribution]

  2. Two theories of government decision-making Preferences (interests) Policy (any constraints on economic or social activity) GOVERNMENT Public policy perspective Structured pluralism perspective later The scrubbers case suggests that decision-making within the black box is driven at least as much by input-side, constituency-specific distributive concerns as by output-side, nation-as-a-whole efficiency concerns.

  3. Approximation of public policy perspective Low cost Low cost Expected consequences of new policies technological constraint Existing plants Old plants on average LSC Scrubbers Clean air Clean air NSPS NSPS The present (approximately) The future (approximately)

  4. Progress report • What determines whether interests will become active on a given issue? • interest group analysis • {Wilson/Lowi “nature of politics”} • The PD / collective action problem (p > c/b) • The interest group spreadsheet • What determines whether and how policy will change? • collective choice analysis within institutions • voting theory • What determines whether activity will have an impact? • knowledge about political actors’ concerns • strategies for conveying information and other valued resources

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