Risk Assessment and Regulatory Priorities

A number of surveys taken over time, from the early 1960s through quite recently, show that the public supports a "clean environment." I One may say to the public, "Don't you understand that a clean environment is going to cost money? That your utility bill is going to go up?" The public answers, "Yes, we understand that, but we want a clean environment." One replies, "But wait a minute, we may have to shut down some plants and lose some jobs because of it." And the public says, "Yes, but we want a clean environment." Whatever way one asks the question, the public comes back and overwhelmingly answers, "We want a clean environment. Let's get on with it!"