Explain what are the \" Police powers of the state\" and what they allow the sta

Question

Explain what are the " Police powers of the state" and what they allow the state(i.e. government) to do. Explain what an emission standard is and what a technology standard is, and how they are used or set as an exercise of police powers. Describe why technology standards (1) eliminate any incentive for technology advance or improvement and (2) cause total social abatement cost for the same level of environmental quality or abatement to be higher than the minimum cost. Describe why a cap and trade or permit system based upon emission standards. (1) Provide an incentive for technological advance or improvement and (2) cause total social abatement cost for the same level of environmental quality or abatement to be closer to the minimum cost. (Hint: What are the cost of technological advance, and what are the benefits of technological advance).

Explanation / Answer

In United State constitutional law, police power is the capacity of the states to regulate behaviour and enforce order within their territory for the betterment of health, safety, morals and general welfare of the inhabitants. Police power is exercised by the legislative and executive branches of the various states through the enactment and enforcement of laws. States have the power to compel obedience to these laws through whatever measures they see fit, provided these measures do not infringe upon any of the rights protected by the United States constitution or in other varuos state constitutions, and are not unreasonably arbitrary or oppressive.

US Federal emission standards for engines and vehicles, including emission standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are established by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA authority to regulate engine emissions - and the air quality in general.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a measurement standards laboratory, and a non regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness.  

Technology standards eliminate any incentive for technology advance or improvement because it restricts usage of certain technologies which produce higher negetive externalities such as environmental degradation, unemployment, serious diseases etc.

Technology standards cause total social abatement cost for the same level of environmental quality or abatement to be higher than the minimum cost by efficient utilization of the available resources and generating highest productivity.

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