The two distinct approaches to environmental policy include direct regulation-sometimes called 'command and control' policies-and regulation by economic, or market-based incentives. This book is the first to compare the costs and outcomes of these approaches by examining realworld applications. In a unique format, paired case studies from the United States and Europe contrast direct regulation on one side of the Atlantic with an incentivebased policy on the other. For example, Germany,s direct regulation of SO2 emissions is compared with an incentive approach in the U.S. Direct regulation of water pollution via the U.S. Clean Water Act is contrasted with Holland,s incentive-based fee system. Additional studies contrast solutions for eliminating leaded gasoline and reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, CFCs, and chlorinated solvents. The cases presented in Choosing Environmental Policy were selected to allow the sharpest, most direct comparisons of direct regulation and incentive-based strategies. In practice, environmental policy is often a mix of both types of instruments. This innovative investigation will interest scholars, students, and policymakers who want more precise information as to what kind of 'blend' will yield the most effective policy. Are incentive instruments more efficient than regulatory ones? Do regulatory policies necessarily have higher administrative costs? Are incentive policies more difficult to monitor? Are firms more likely to oppose market-based instruments or traditional regulation? These are some of the important questions the authors address, often with surprising results.

PrefaceOverview: Comparing Instrument ChoicesWinston Harrington, Richard D. Morgenstern and Thomas Sterner1. SO2 Emissions in Germany: Regulations to Fight WaldsterbenFrank W tzold2. SO2 Cap-and-Trade Program in the United States: A 'Living Legend' of Market EffectivenessDallas Burtraw and Karen Palmer3. Industrial Water Pollution in the United States: Direct Regulation or Market Incentive?Winston Harrington4. Industrial Water Pollution in the Netherlands: A Fee-based ApproachHans Th.A. Bressers and Kris R.D. Lulofs5. NOx Emissions in France and Sweden: Advanced Fee Schemes versus RegulationKatrin Millock and Thomas Sterner6. NOx Emissions in the United States:A Potpourri of PoliciesDallas Burtraw and David A. Evans7. CFCs:A Look Across Two ContinentsJames K. Hammitt8. Leaded Gasoline in the United States: The Breakthrough of Permit TradingRichard G. Newell and Kristian Rogers9. Leaded Gasoline in Europe: Differences in Timing and TaxesHenrik Hammar and 'sa L fgren10. Trichloroethylene in Europe: Ban versus TaxThomas Sterner11. Trichloroethylene in the United States:Embracing Market-Based Approaches?Miranda Loh and Richard D. MorgensternLessons from the Case StudiesWinston Harrington, Richard D. Morgenstern,Thomas Sterner, and J. Clarence (Terry) DaviesIndex