The two important case studies in the book -- one on the use of the gasoline additive MTBE and the other on the cleanup of underground storage tanks (USTs) -- apply the model, compare the approaches and results, and illustrate the advantages of a strategic approach.
The case of MTBE -- in which an additive intended to produce cleaner-burning gasoline was found to contribute to both air and groundwater pollution -- shows the drawbacks of top-down regulation by fragmented regulatory agencies. The success of the UST cleanup, in contrast, highlights a unique, strategic, and results-oriented approach to policy implementation. These two cases demonstrate why regulation works better in some cases than others, and the alternative approaches to regulation described in the book promise to promote the achievement of environmental quality goals.
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