Prentice Hall © PowerPoint Slides to accompany The Legal Environment of Business and Online Commerce 5E, by Henry R. Cheeseman Chapter 25 Environmental Protection

Prentice Hall © Environmental Protection Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) An administrative agency created by Congress to coordinate federal environmental protection laws National Environmental Policy Act A federal statute that mandates that the federal government consider the adverse impact a federal government action would have on the environment before the action is implemented An environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared if the action would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

Prentice Hall © Air Pollution Clean Air Act A federal statute enacted to assist states in dealing with air problems Sources of air pollution Stationary sources such as factories Mobile sources such as motor vehicles National ambient air quality standards Standards for certain pollutants set by the EPA

Prentice Hall © Nonattainment Areas Regions that do not meet air quality standards are classified into categories: Marginal Moderate Serious Severe Extreme

Prentice Hall © Deadlines for Nonattainment Areas to Meet Standards States must submit compliance plans. Failure to develop or implement plans can result in sanctions. Loss of federal highway funds Limitation on new sources of emissions

Prentice Hall © Water Pollution The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to establish water pollution control standards. Water pollution Pollution of lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water Point sources Sources of water pollution such as paper mills, manufacturing plants, electric utility plants, and sewage plants

Prentice Hall © Water Pollution Thermal pollution Heated water or material discharged into waterways that upsets the ecological balance and decreases the oxygen content Wetlands Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water that supports vegetation typically adapted for life in such conditions

Prentice Hall © Toxic Substances Control Act Some chemicals used for agricultural, industrial, and mining uses pose health hazards. Hazardous waste is solid waste that may cause an increase in mortality or serious illness; causes land pollution.

Prentice Hall © Nuclear Waste Radiation pollution Emissions from radioactive wastes that can cause injury and death to humans and other life and can cause severe damage to the environment The EPA has authority to set standards for radioactivity and to regulate disposal.

Prentice Hall © Endangered Species Endangered Species Act— a federal statute enacted to protect endangered and threatened species of animals The EPA and the Department of Commerce designate critical habitats for each of these species.

Prentice Hall © State Environmental Protection Laws Many states have enacted environmental protection laws. Most states require an environmental impact statement for any proposed state action; may require private industries to also prepare EIS for proposed developments.

Prentice Hall © Kyoto Protocol Many scientists are concerned that greenhouse gases from carbon dioxide created by burning coal, oil, and gas are causing global warming. 178 countries have agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gases. The United States did not sign the protocol but adopted its own regulations instead.