Unit 10: Command and Control Regulations

Question 1

Bans

Answer 1

An official or legal prohibition that if broken, there will be some form of punishment and works best when preferable alternative solutions are easy to adopt.

Question 2

Examples of bans (4)

Answer 2

Single use plastics, incandescent light bulbs, COVID restrictions, littering

Question 3

Consequences of bans

Answer 3

A form of adaptive management
that may be the preferable alternative even if the market demand will not be satisfied with substitutes. (EX: Ivory ban, shark fin soup). In such cases strong enforcement will be needed.

Question 4

Non-tradable quotas

Answer 4

A prescribed number or share of something.

Question 5

Examples of non-tradable quotas (3)

Answer 5

Hunting licenses, Montreal Protocol CFC emissions, fishing quotas

Question 6

Technology Standards

Answer 6

Dictation of a particular technology or procedure that must be followed without flexibility when doing something.

Question 7

Examples of technology standards (2)

Answer 7

All cars must have Catalytic Converters, all coal plants must have NO2 Scrubber Model #XS238309A

Question 8

Procedural Standards

Answer 8

Dictation of a particular procedure that must be followed when doing something.

Question 9

Examples of procedural standards (4)

Answer 9

Don’t cross until the little walking guy appears, all new buildings must do an Environmental Impact Assessment, all farms must have a nutrient management plan, all tailings must be tested for levels of specific toxins prior to discarding.

Question 10

Performance based standards

Answer 10

Dictation of a performance standard for certain activities/products that allows those affected to use innovation and flexibility to meet the goals.

Question 11

Examples of performance based standards (4)

Answer 11

Cross the street when it is safe to do so, 1975 environmental problem, water wells must provide safe water and prevent aquifer mixing, EU limits car emissions to 5 g/kWh of NOx and 0.10 g/kWh of Particulate Matter

Question 12

1975 environmental problem

Answer 12

The solution to lessen the amount of NOx and CO being released by cars is to install a catalytic converter onto cars.

Question 13

1975 environmental problem policy options (2)

Answer 13

1. Technical Standard: all cars must have Catalytic Converter
2. Performance Based Standard that states “Must emit less than X pollutants per km traveled”

Question 14

Chicago plastic ban

Answer 14

Backfired since stores started selling thicker “reusable” plastic bags. Was repealed and replaced with a tax that lead to a significant increase in use of reusable bags and bagless shopping.

Question 15

1975 Civic

Answer 15

More environmentally friendly and efficient than North American cars with catalytic converters.

Question 16

Economists vs The General Population

Answer 16

Carbon tax/cap and trade is better than regulating/subsidizing things since they incentivize the individual to reduce GHG emissions.

Question 17

US Inflation Reduction Act (2022):

Answer 17

Subsidizes emission reducing technologies, however it is inefficient since it will cost more money than inputting a carbon tax.

Question 18

Key Points (Unit 8) (4)

Answer 18

1. Command and Control was the favored form of policy prior to the 1990’s
2. A clearly outlined expectation of impact (assuming compliance) can be a very effective policy. However, it can be cumbersome for governments due to the cost of regulating/monitoring/enforcing.
3. Command and Control has limited flexibility and responsiveness. Consideration should be given to better solutions.
4. At times, subsidies and command/control can be more politically feasible.