POLICY INSTRUMENTS FOR REDUCING TOXIC RELEASES - THE EFFECTIVENESS OFSTATE INFORMATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

This article analytes the extent to which different policy instruments explain toxic reductions among the states. Data from the Toxics Relea se Inventory (TRI) and other sources are used to assess the effect of various policy instruments, while holding economic factors constant. S tate TRI information programs, enforcement action, and direct regulati on all matter in reducing toxic releases. Interestingly, the informati onal tool seems to matter more than both authoritative tools. The find ings also support the idea that the interaction of policy instruments as well as the match between policy tools and policy context may accou nt for a portion of the results.