Research Reports

ELI publishes Research Reports available for free download that present the analysis and conclusions of the policy studies ELI undertakes to improve environmental law and policy. These reports contribute to education of the profession and disseminate diverse points of view and opinions to stimulate a robust and creative exchange of ideas. Those publications, which express opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Institute, its Board of Directors, or funding organizations, exemplify ELI’s commitment to dialogue with all sectors.
The New Public: The Globalization of Public Participation
Carl Bruch
December 2002

The New Public: The Globalization of Public Participation, edited by ELI Senior Attorney Carl Bruch, takes a close look at the foundations of public involvement, and regional and international institutions that advance public involvement. The book, whose release coincides with the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, highlights cases from Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia, illustrating the common need and experiences in promoting a core set of principles for public input in effective decisionmaking.

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An Analysis of State Superfund Programs:  50-State Study, 2001 Update
John Pendergrass
November 2002

This report examines the cleanup programs of all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The Study provides a snapshot of state statutes, program organizations, staffing, funding, expenditures, cleanup standards and activities, brownfields, long-term stewardship and institutional controls.

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ELI
November 2002

The two-year Proyecto de Municipios Sustentables ProMuS 2001 (Project for Sustainable Mexican Municipalities) was designed to provide practical and theoretical training on implementing an environmental management system (EMS) to three Mexican municipalities. The primary goal of the project was to implement an EMS at one or more facilities in each of the participating municipalities. The project also sought to develop EMS training materials that would facilitate the implementation of EMSs in other operations and in other Mexican municipalities.

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Byron Swift, Environmental Law Institute
September 2002

This report assesses actual experience under the two principal forms of inter-firm emissions credit trading programs used today: emission reduction credit (ERC) trading used for new source offsets under the Clean Air Act (CAA), and discrete emissions reduction (DER) credit programs created in six states since 1995. The report makes a qualitative review of ERC offset programs, and a comprehensive review of state DER programs.

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Tobie Bernstein
September 2002

Strengthening U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Environmental Enforcement: Legal Strategies for Preventing the Use of the Border as a Shield Against Liability analyzes key legal issues that arise when pursuing formal enforcement actions against those that attempt to use the border as a shield. Underlying the discussion is the recognition that cooperation and coordination between U.S. and Mexican officials are critical importance in transboundary enforcement efforts. The report focuses on different civil legal issues that may arise in U.S.

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