Environmental Decision-Making and Facilities Siting

Facility siting is today a highly complex process involving developers, interest groups and numerous authorities at all levels of government. Measured in terms of costs and time, the process is inefficient. Measured in terms of environmental quality indicators, the process is largely ineffective in ensuring the appropriate siting and design decisions. Each of the numerous Federal, state and local authorities involved in the process in turn applies its narrowly drawn criteria to its permit and other review procedures — to accomplish its limited objectives.