2. Date the law was passed, along with significant amendments

3. What event, series of events, or other circumstance prompted the

law's passing

4. In a paragraph, give a plain language explanation of what the

law does. 

5. What is the state of the law today? Is it contentious? Is it working as

intended? Is it playing a key role in current environmental issues?

 

2.       Proposed August 21, 2018

 

3.       President Trump’s Executive Order 13873 directed Federal agencies to review the Clean Power Plan. States feel disempowered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because the energy is not modern, reliable, or affordable. The community must states must carry on environmental progress, while fulfilling Trump’s goal of energy dominance  

 

4.       The proposal works to reduce GHG emissions and addresses the CO2 from the US’ power plants. It provides the “best system of emission reduction” for efficient power plants.  It grants states a list of “candidate technologies” which create standards of performance. By replacing the Clean Power Plan, the ACE would provide $400 million in annual benefits and reduce CO2 emissions in 2030 by 1.5%/

 

5.       The law is up for a 60-day proposal.  It will hold a public hearing this year.  Most likely, the rule will not pass because states will most likely sue.  The EPA actually acknowledges that the plan would increase carbon emissions.

 

The law is a national policy which will help balance the existence between man and environment; to promote efforts to rid damage to the environment and biosphere. It also helps people to understand their effect on resources. 

NEPA establishes national environmental policy by making federal agencies to prepare for environmental impact. They must form statements to address reports  and make recommendations for funding from Congress. This impact statement is known as an EIS. These actions are specifically actions taken in the court of law as civil duties. 

EPA covers a lot of federal agency actions, but the act does not apply to state action where there is no federal influence or funding. The NEPA is still active today, however, the current President wants to alter this act, or shut it down completely. California has its own version. Nationally, it is required to  identify the problem, but they don’t actually have to fix it

October 17, 1986 

Amendments: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) 

In a small village in India, early morning on December 3, 1984, a company manufacturing lethal pesticide, methyl isocyanate (MIC), accidentally let it out into the air. This killed upwards of 5000 people and injured around 50,000. Then again, on August 11, 1985, the same company accidentally leaked 500 gallons of aldicarb oxime and highly toxic MIC, sending 134 people to the hospital.

EPCRA is a law made to help local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards. It was created to help communities plan for chemical emergencies. It also make industries report their storage, the use of and releasing of hazardous substances to the government.

This law is still being enforced by the government; the government requires that citizens be informed of toxic chemical releases in their area

Meli Farahmand