Science and uncertainty in environmental regulation: insights from the evaluation of California’s Smog Check program

Authors: Bedsworth L.W.; Kastenberg W. E

Source: Science and Public Policy, Volume 29, Number 1, 1 February 2002 , pp. 13-24(12)

Publisher: Beech Tree Publishing

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Abstract:

Environmental decision making is a complex process confounded by technical uncertainty, political pressure, and societal interests. New calls for environmental decision-making frameworks emphasize the need for an holistic approach that incorporates technical and non-technical expertise, and participation by all interested and affected parties. In this paper, we analyze the evaluation of an environmental regulatory program to characterize the interaction of science and policy and the processing of uncertainty using concepts from science and technology studies. This demonstrates the influence of institutional goals and commitments on the uptake and use of science and the processing of uncertainty in the regulatory process. We discuss the implications of such analyses on the development of new environmental decision-making frameworks.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3152/147154302781781137

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