The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	The rise and fall of open market emissions trading in New Jersey
Author:	DeMarco, Devin Peter
View Online:	njit-etd2004-048 (x, 85 pages ~ 4.2 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science
Degree:	Master of Science
Program:	Environmental Policy Studies
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	Cohen, Maurie J. (Committee chair) Jackson, Nancy L. (Committee member) Qiu, Zeyuan (Committee member)
Date:	2004-05
Keywords:	New Jersey -- Department of Environmental Protection Open Market Emissions Trading National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	On August 2, 1996, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) promulgated rules governing its Open Market Emissions Trading (OMET) program. With a goal to provide industry with a greater degree of flexibility in meeting federal air compliance directives and simultaneously move the state towards the attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), this program is now slated for termination following scrutiny from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental groups and a new NJDEP administration. This thesis discusses the basis for this scrutiny and other program flaws discovered through interviews with, and public comments from, NJDEP and EPA officials, industry representatives, environmental advocates and former members of the New Jersey State Legislature. The results of this work are also placed against the political background that gave rise to open market trading in New Jersey, and may have hindered the program's success.