[20030129]RS21403_EPA的水质交易政策.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21403January 29, 2003EPAs Water Quality Trading Policyname redactedSpecialist in Resources and Environmental PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryOn January 13, 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a WaterQuality Trading Policy intended as an innovative approach to assist industry andmunicipalities in meeting Clean Water Act obligations. Trading allows one source tomeet regulatory requirements by buying credit for pollutant reductions from anothersource that has lower pollution control costs. The policy revises a 2002 proposal whichreflected lessons learned from a similar trading policy issued by the ClintonAdministration in 1996. Water quality or effluent trading projects have occurred in theUnited States since the early 1980s. The new policy is generally supported by industrygroups, state and local governments, and agriculture groups. Environmental groups aresplit on the concept. Some argue that it is not lawful and are critical that the BushAdministration policy lacks a number of details that they regard as necessary. Otherssupport