Policy Instruments for Reducing Toxic Releases

This article analyzes the extent to which different policy instruments explain toxic reductions among the states. Data from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and other sources are used to assess the effect of various policy instruments, while holding economic factors constant. State TRI information programs, enforcement action, and direct regulation all matter in reducing toxic releases. Interestingly, the informational tool seems to matter more than both authoritative tools. The findings also support the idea that the interaction of policy instruments as well as the match between policy tools and policy context may account for a portion of the results.