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Waste management agenda setting: a case of incorrect problem definition?

Research Scientist, The University of Tennessee, Energy, Environment and Resources Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

This paper uses Rochefort and Cobb's anatomy of problem and Kingdon's agenda building model to explain how capac ity issues involving hazardous and solid wastes found their way onto the agendas of the United States Congress and the State of Tennessee General Assembly. Through this case study, several conclusions are offered about agenda building, problem definition, capacity assurance planning and the implications of environmental problems reaching agenda sta tus through political avenues. First, although scientific or technical assertions are often necessary for an environmental issue to reach policy agenda status, neither applies in this case. Instead, political issues (e.g. the perceived failure to site management facilities) prevailed. Second, the outcome of the solution (capacity assurance planning) crystallized problems that were not perceived as problems but might have proven to be and raised the question of incorrect problem identifica tion. Third, capacity assurance planning is a useful analytical tool but should also be viewed as a valid planning exercise. Finally, sustainability and commitment to solving environ mental problems even though they may arise through politi cal avenues are crucial.

Key Words: Solid waste • hazardous waste • capacity assurance planning • USA

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