Environmental Regulations & Policy Flashcards
7 cards from real CSC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Environmental Regulations & Policy flashcards as text
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which action is EPA authorized to take when a chemical poses an unreasonable risk?
Answer: Restrict or ban the chemical's manufacture or use
TSCA gives EPA authority to restrict, limit, or ban chemicals found to present unreasonable risk to health or the environment.
Which federal law requires facilities that release toxic chemicals above threshold quantities to report those releases to the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)?
Answer: EPCRA
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313 established the TRI reporting requirement.
A company discovers contamination at an abandoned industrial site it recently purchased. Under CERCLA, the company may avoid liability by proving it qualifies as which type of party?
Answer: A bona fide prospective purchaser
CERCLA's bona fide prospective purchaser defense protects buyers who conducted proper due diligence before purchase and comply with ongoing obligations.
Which provision of the Clean Air Act requires major stationary sources in nonattainment areas to install pollution controls representing the Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER)?
Answer: New Source Review (NSR) – Nonattainment
NSR in nonattainment areas requires major new or modified sources to meet LAER and obtain emission offsets.
Which of the following best describes the role of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under NEPA?
Answer: It discloses significant environmental impacts and considers alternatives for major federal actions
An EIS is a disclosure document that analyzes significant environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives, informing federal decision-making.
Under the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are best described as:
Answer: Self-determined climate pledges submitted by each participating country
NDCs are voluntary, self-determined climate action plans that each country submits and progressively strengthens over time.
Which U.S. regulatory concept requires a facility seeking an air permit in an attainment area to demonstrate use of Best Available Control Technology (BACT)?
Answer: Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) review
PSD review applies in areas meeting NAAQS and requires major new or modified sources to apply BACT.