Multiple Choice Questions
1. Suppose that you are the manager of General Motors plant that is about to start producing Hummers.
The Hummer requires special protective paint that, as it turns out, reacts with other chemicals during
the application process to create a pollutant. What does the Clean Air Act require of you?
(a) Reduce other emissions from the plant so that the total quantity of pollutants is the same
(b) Provide an analysis showing that the benefits outweigh the costs
(c) Provide the EPA with evidence that your plant meets the national ambient air quality standards
(d) Obtain a PSD certificate from the EPA
Answer: The factory was required to obtain a permit from the state of Indiana ensuring that, even
with the increase in pollution from this factory, the area would still meet the national ambient air
quality standards. United States v. Am General Corp., 34 F.3d 472, 1994 U.S. App. LEXIS 23975
(7th Cir. 1994).
2. The EPA _________ have authority to regulate greenhouse gases. The states ____________ impose
their own standards for these gases.
(a) Does/can
(b) Does/cannot
(c) Does not/cannot
(d) Does not/can
Answer: A.
3. For purposes of the Clean Water Act, Farmer Brown’s fields ________ a point source. A canal that
collects rainwater and discharges it into the Everglades ________ a point source.
(a) are/is
(b) are/is not
(c) are not/is
(d) are not/is not
Answer: C.
4. You own property on which hazardous wastes are found. You know the identity of three former
owners. You are:
(a) Liable for all the costs of clean-up because you are the current owner
(b) Liable for one-quarter of the costs of clean-up
(c) Liable for the percentage of the harm that you are able to show that you actually caused
(d) Not liable for any of the costs of clean-up, because the damage occurred before you bought the
land
Answer: C.
5. The Toxic Substances Control Act:
(a) Requires manufacturers to test for safety all chemicals before they can be used in products.
(b) Requires the EPA to test for safety all chemicals before they can be used in products.
(c) Requires the EPA to test all chemicals although they are already being used in products
(d) Permits the EPA to require testing of a chemical only if there is evidence that it is dangerous.
Answer: D.