AECN 357 Unit 4

(1) Briefly discuss the liability issue regarding brownfields. (2) List two ways municipalities have dealt with the brownfield redevelopment issue. - 1. once a site is cleaned up, there is no guarantee that it is cleaned up forever. The new owner will then be responsible for the site remediation. 2. cities can act as guarantors in case of future cleanup liability or turn the property into a part or other open air space. ex. omaha riverfront development a phase 1 environmental audit will include - a review of environmental records pertaining to the property and a visual inspection of the property (record review/visual inspection) a phase 2 environmental audit will include - testing soil samples for contamination and testing water samples for contamination (sampling) action levels - set by DEA. Hitting action levels in GW triggers pesticide regulations Briefly describe how free trade helps LDCs. - creates jobs, gives LDCs access to new markets and higher investment capital, decreases child labor, gives LDC chance to become a DC and be able to purchase goods from US. All of this leads to overall increased life expectancy. Briefly describe how GATT and NAFTA may be made more environmentally friendly in the future. - They may include minimum environmental standards like ISO 14000. Countries violating env. requirements would be subject to trade sanctions (ex. tariffs/embargoes) on goods whose production violated the trade agreement. Briefly describe how green energy requirements has influenced the development of wind farms. - electric utilities need to build or purchase power from wind and solar energy production facilities. 28 states have renewable energy requirements which has created most of the push for US wind and solar energy development. A national renewable energy requirement would significantly increase the demand for Nebraska wind energy. Briefly describe how ISO 140000 may be used to make GATT and NAFTA more environmentally friendly in the future. - currently voluntary but likely to become de facto international standard for multi-national corporations. Will establish min. accepted international standards for pollution control, will be accepted by LDCs or in future trade treaties and LDCs can make them legally enforceable in their countries