Question

Which of the following is a way that the us government can improve environmental impacts.

group of answer choices
A. refuse to provide more funding for public transportation and commuter rails.
B. eliminate car pool lanes on roadways.
C. create regulations that increase fuel efficiency requirements for car manufacturers.
D. discourage residential and business development in city centers.

Answer 1

The US government can improve environmental impacts by creating regulations that increase fuel efficiency requirements for car manufacturers, which is a command-and-control policy. A state emissions tax is market incentive-based, while EPA's setting of national standards is command-and-control. The policy where the US government makes it a policy to use only predetermined technologies is also command-and-control. The correct answer is option B. eliminate car pool lanes on roadways. and C. create regulations that increase fuel efficiency requirements for car manufacturers.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question on how the US government can improve environmental impacts, option C, which states create regulations that increase fuel efficiency requirements for car manufacturers, is the way that the US government can improve environmental impacts. This is because by increasing fuel efficiency requirements, cars would use less fuel for the same amount of travel, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the overall carbon footprint. Now, let's classify the pollution-control policies provided:

• State emissions tax on the quantity of carbon emitted by each firm is a market incentive-based policy, as it uses economic incentives to reduce emissions.
• The federal government requires domestic auto companies to improve car emissions by 2020 is a command-and-control policy, where the government sets specific standards to be met.
• The EPA sets national standards for water quality is another example of a command-and-control policy, as it involves authoritative regulations.

For the CO2 emissions from manufacturing industries:

The command-and-control policy is the one where the U.S. government makes it a policy to use only predetermined technologies. This approach does not involve market mechanisms but imposes direct regulations on what technology to use.

Lastly, when discussing tradeoffs, option B is a good example of a tradeoff: The government pleases environmental activists by reintroducing wolves to Yellowstone National Park but angers ranchers by placing their cattle in danger. This illustrates the complexities policymakers face in balancing different interests and impacts on the environment.