Articles by Andy Brett

Unintended consequences

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a 2002 EPA change to the Clean Air Act.

One of the matters of contention was the New Source Review, which requires plants to upgrade their pollution control technologies whenever they are modified.

The Commons has had some great coverage, including this post which links to an article that finds that New Source Review actually leads to increased pollution, since it serves as a disincentive for plants to upgrade, so they wind up staying in operation and in high polluting mode longer than they would have if the rule were not in place.

Hot off the wire

Fusion in France?

While it's not economically viable yet (governments are paying for the $12 billion project), it's interesting to think about.

Another suggestion to limit congestion

So maybe the chances of this idea getting into the current highway bill are slim to none. And maybe the guy proposing it (Stephen Moore) is on that infamous editorial board.

But the idea isn't half bad. And it makes sense. Here it is: avoid congestion (and $70 billion in lost time annually) by charging people for driving at peak times. Just like matinee movie tickets or off-peak phone hours -- only the opposite. Moore cites Robert Nelson at the University of Maryland who wrote this essay detailing the idea.

Roughly the same idea has been proposed in the U.K., although they are taking a slightly more high-tech approach. Moore cites technology that can "read" a car going 60 mph without being in outer space, although Nelson does mention the satellite idea.

Smart growth to revitalize urban centers

Building on the urban revitalization theme (and unable to resist playing off the title of biodiversivist's post earlier), Smart Growth Online is a great resource for issues relating to the development of green, livable, and desirable communities (without, of course, being too overbearing and centrally planned). Sharing many principles with New Urbanism itself (walkability, mixed use, transportation-centered development, etc.), it's definitely a good idea. I'm planning to get more familiar with some of their publications very soon, but for now I'll just post the link.