Voluntary Environmental Programs at Contaminated Properties: Perspectives from U.S. Regulators and Program Participants

Resources for the Future Discussion Paper No. 10-18

27 Pages Posted: 18 Jun 2010

See all articles by Kris Wernstedt

Kris Wernstedt

School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech

Allen Blackman

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Thomas P. Lyon

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Kelly Novak

Virginia Tech

Date Written: June 11, 2010

Abstract

Nearly every state in the United States has developed one or more voluntary cleanup programs (VCPs) to support an alternative approach to cleanup of contaminated sites. Thousands of sites have entered into these programs. Yet, despite the ubiquity of VCPs and the number of enrolled properties, we know little about the factors that influence voluntary action at these sites. This paper reports results from interviews of state officials involved in VCPs in all states, and from a survey of VCP participants in several states. It has two objectives. First, at an application level, the interview and survey results can be used to help improve policy and practice in voluntary cleanup programs. Second, the paper furnishes a unique study to the general literature on environmental voluntary behavior, contributing an empirical, survey-based study of volunteers engaged in cleanup.

Keywords: Voluntary Cleanup, Brownfields, Contamination, Redevelopment, Remediation

JEL Classification: Q53

Suggested Citation

Wernstedt, Kris and Blackman, Allen and Lyon, Thomas P. and Novak, Kelly, Voluntary Environmental Programs at Contaminated Properties: Perspectives from U.S. Regulators and Program Participants (June 11, 2010). Resources for the Future Discussion Paper No. 10-18, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1626875 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1626875

Kris Wernstedt (Contact Author)

School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech ( email )

Virginia Tech, Alexandria Center
1021 Prince Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
United States
301-785-6725 (Phone)
703-518-8009 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.spia.vt.edu/people/spiafacultybios/wernstedtspiabio.html

Allen Blackman

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ( email )

1300 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20577
United States

Thomas P. Lyon

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business ( email )

701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States
734-615-1639 (Phone)

Kelly Novak

Virginia Tech ( email )

250 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States

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