Abstract |
Following passage of legislation authorizing the levying of pollution charges against certain waste dischargers, Vermont's Department of Natural Resources considered several effluent charge systems. These systems included a charge based upon stream damages, a uniform charge to all polluters, a uniform charge weighted by stream classification or zone, a charge based upon dilution factors or population equivalents, a charge based upon stream quality degradation, and a charge based on the annualized cost of treatment. For each of these systems, the issues of incentive effects on dischargers, relation of dischargers to instream economic damages, equity, constitutionality, economic efficiency, technical and administrative feasibility, and income potential are discussed in the context of Vermont law and administrative procedures. The annualized cost-of-treatment charge method, which was chosen by Vermont, receives the most detailed consideration. The administrative efforts are also discussed. (Author) |