Three Broad CategoriesRegulation of pollutantsRegulation of chemical substances in
commercial productsPolicy decisions regarding the quality of the
environment
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PollutantsClean Air ActFederal Water Pollution Control Act
as amended by the Clean Water ActResource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA)Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund)
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Admimnistration of Environmental LawsFederal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Created in 1970 by executive order Responsible for all federal laws except NEPA
StateSome state laws predated the federal and are
more stringent and comprehensive The EPA may permit such state programs to
operate
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Clean Air ActThe EPA has established national ambient air
quality standards (NAAQS) for pollutants.Six specific standards were set for
Particulate matter Sulphur dioxide Ozone Nitrogen dioxide Carbon monoxide Lead
American Electric Power v. Connecticut (2011) EPA has exclusive authority to regulate greenhouse gas
emissions
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Clean Water ActRegulates the discharge of pollutants into the
navigable waters of the U.S.States regulate non-navigable watersCorporate officers can be held civilly liable if
they had authority over the violative activity, and can be held criminally liable for knowing violations of the Act.13-year sentence for toxic waste dump into
sewer
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Resource Conservation and Recovery ActGoverns management of hazardous waste“Cradle-to-grave” responsibility for proper
disposal of hazardous wastePotential civil and criminal liability for
corporate officers
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Federal Superfund LawComprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)Imposes strict liability on present owner of
land, as well as previous owners and those responsible for the disposal of the hazardous substance
Split of authority as to whether the Act can be applied retroactively , i.e., for pollution that occurred before December 11, 1980
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