William_T._Bianco,_David_T._Canon]_American_Polit

How it works: in practice

Federalism and

Environmental

Policy

Environmental policy shows

contemporary federalism in action.

As you can see on the right, all levels

of government combine to effect

environmental policy (exemplifying

picket fence federalism). Also, the

national government provides both

rules and incentives for state and

local governments to change their

environmental policies (exemplifying

coercive federalism).

Congress

passed

new acts.

Over the last few decades,

Congress has passed the

Coastal Zone Management

Act, the Clean Water Act,

the Endangered Species

Act, and the Clean Air Act.

This is who

carries out

environmental

policy in...

In short:

What

does that

mean?

This legislation has

provided states and

localities with federal

regulations

and mandates.

The National Government:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

Department of the Interior,

Department of Energy

The State Government:

State Department of Natural Resources, State Park

Service, State Environmental Protection Agencies

The Local Government:

City park system, city and county oversight

boards for land use policy and zoning

Also...

The national government

provides many incentives

designed to preserve the

environment, including

tax credits for electric cars

and home improvements

that increase energy

efficiency.

Good deal.

(^)
In 2015, the EPA introduced
a Clean Energy Incentive
Program to promote
expansion of renewable
energy and energy
efficiency. States receive
emission credits for the
clean energy they produce.
Change
happens.
The Trump administration
repealed many EPA
regulations, but has left
tax credits for individuals
largely intact.
Stricter
rules.
In 2015, the EPA set new
tougher standards for
ozone and proposed
stricter limits on
greenhouse gases.
The national
government imposes
new rules on state and
local governments and
provides incentives to
follow these new rules
and goals. However,
the content of these
rules, as well as whether
they stay in place over
time, depends on
who is elected to
federal office.
How it works: in theory
Versions of Federalism
Version 1:
Layer Cake Federalism
1789–1937
No interactions between the levels
of government.
Version 3:
Picket Fence Federalism
1960s–today
Horizontal boards represent different
levels of government, and the pickets are
policy areas within which coordination
happens across those levels.
Version 2:
Marble Cake Federalism
1937–today
Interactions between the levels
of government are common.
State
Regulations
National government
provides new policy goals.
Incentives
National government pressures
or incentivizes state and local
governments to act according
to new goals.
National
State
Local
National
State
Local
Agriculture
Highways
Environment
Housing
Education
Medical Care
Ta x P o l i c y
Version 4:
Coercive Federalism
1970s–today
National government uses
regulations, mandates, and conditions
to pressure states to fall into line with
national policy goals.
National Local

1. Which do you think is a more
   effective tool to change
   environmental policy—the
   “stick” of regulation or the
   “carrot” of incentives? Why?


2. Should the government
   provide tax credits and other
   incentives for things like electric
   cars and alternative energy, or
   leave such things up to the free
   market?

Critical Thinking

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