Controlling acid rain : policy issues

Abstract

The policy and regulatory ramifications of U.S. acid rain control programs are examined; particularly, the alternative of a receptor-oriented strategy as constrasted to emission-oriented proposals (e.g., the Mitchell bill) which set sulfur emission reductions to uniform national levels. In receptor strategies, goals for deposition reductions in ecologically threatened areas are determined and the emission reductions are apportioned primarily to sources that cause the bulk of acid deposition in those areas. It is very likely that a receptor-oriented strategy would be less costly (on a national basis) than a uniform emission reduction strategy, and certainly more beneficial to the endangered areas. For a receptor-oriented strategy, a detailed economic analysis needs to be performed to select the least-cost emission control method for the individual sources. Such methods may include scrubbers, combustion modification, total or seasonal fuel substitution, and electricity import (i.e., emission export). An emission control scheme tailored for northern New York and New England would also benefit sensitive areas in southeastern Canada, and thereby help to defuse the present U.S./Canadian impass over acid rain control agreements.