Analysis - The Institute for Southern Studies

Chapter 5
Potential Benefits of RCRA Regulation of CCR Disposal in the Electric Utility Industry
Exhibit 5A below displays social benefits associated with EPA’s RCRA regulatory program, a few or many of which may be associated with
any particular RCRA regulation. To a lesser or greater degree, a range of these benefit elements may be associated with future benefits from
RCRA regulation of CCR disposal, according to the unique physical and environmental attributes at any particular CCR disposal site.
Exhibit 5A
Human Health, Environmental, & Economic Benefits of the EPA RCRA Regulatory Program*
Benefit Category (n = 6) Benefit Sub-Element Examples (n = 36)
1. Human Health Protection
Benefits
2. Ecological Protection Benefits
3. Indirect Ecosystem &
Resource Conservation Benefits
1A. Mortality Reduction-Examples
1) Reduced risk of cancer fatality
2) Reduced risk of acute fatality
2A. Market Ecological Values:
1) Commercial fisheries
2) Market recreational benefits (e.g., involving fees)
3) Food
2B. Non-Market Ecological Values & Amenities (examples):
1) Non-market recreational benefits (e.g., w/out fees)
1) Climate moderation
2) Flood moderation
3) Groundwater recharge
4) Sediment trapping
5) Soil retention
6) Nutrient cycling
4. Avoided Economic Costs 1) Avoided costs of providing government mandated
alternate drinking water supplies
5. Avoided Materials Damages, 1) Aesthetic pleasure
Improved Aesthetics, &
2) Improved taste, order, visibility
Historical Preservation
6. Potential Long-Term Benefits
(Sustainability)
1) Avoided increases in damages related to changes in
affected populations
2) Benefits associated with resource conservation
1B. Morbidity reduction-Examples
1) Reduced risk of cancer
2) Reduced risk of morbidity (e.g., asthma, nausea)
4) Fuel
5) Fiber
6) Timber
7) Fur/leather
2) Non-use values: existence, bequest, and quasi-option
values
7) Pollination by wild species
8) Biodiversity
9) Water filtration
10) Soil fertilization
11) Pest control
12) Reduced pressure on endangered species
13) Avoided habitat destruction
2) Avoided costs associated with government mandated
cleanups of industrial waste accidents or spills
3) Protection of resources with cultural and historic value
4) Protection of constructed resources (e.g., buildings,
infrastructure)
3) Benefits associated with the precautionary principle,
protection from unforeseen issues
4) Benefits from long-term increases in the value of
environmental quality
* Source: Exhibit 1-1 of EPA Office of Solid Waste, “Approaches to Assessing the Benefits, Costs, and Impacts of the RCRA Subtitle C Program,” prepared by
Industrial Economics Inc., October 2000,
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