Climate Change Environmental Law & Regulations 3

Question 1

Which international agreement, adopted in 2015, replaced the Kyoto Protocol as the primary global framework for addressing climate change?

Accepted Answer

Paris Agreement

Answer

The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, established a new international framework requiring countries to submit nationally determined contributions.

Question 2

Under the Clean Water Act, which permit program regulates pollutant discharges into US waters from point sources?

Accepted Answer

NPDES permit

Answer

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants.

Question 3

What does 'cap-and-trade' mean in the context of greenhouse gas regulation?

Accepted Answer

A system setting an overall emission limit while allowing companies to buy and sell emission allowances

Answer

Cap-and-trade sets a total emission cap and lets regulated entities buy and sell allowances, creating a market-based incentive to reduce emissions.

Question 4

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) intersects with climate policy primarily through:

Accepted Answer

Regulating the disposal of coal ash and other fossil fuel waste products

Answer

RCRA governs hazardous and solid waste management, including coal combustion residuals from power plants that are a byproduct of fossil fuel use.

Question 5

In West Virginia v. EPA (2022), the Supreme Court applied the 'major questions doctrine' to rule that:

Accepted Answer

The EPA exceeded its authority by using the Clean Power Plan to restructure the energy sector

Answer

The Court held that Congress had not clearly granted the EPA authority to decide the composition of the nation's electricity grid through the Clean Power Plan.

Climate Change Practice Test

Climate Change Practice Test

Climate Change Environmental Law & Regulations 3