Читать книгу Environmental Ethics онлайн

41 страница из 125

ABC wants the environmental impact study fast tracked with a board of sympathetic scientists. ABC has even provided you with a confidential list of these scientists. They will produce a report in 3 months that will allow the permit to be issued in 6 months and ground breaking in 9 months. Any ongoing permit-approved projects have been grandfathered out of the new clean air and water act. The plant could be operational in 18 months. Your next election is in 22 months. There is one county commissioner who is against the project. He says that jobs are important, but so is the health of the environment. Your own father died of black lung disease at the age of 59. You are sensitive to the concerns for clean air and water, but people need to live. How could you turn down ABC and look your poverty-torn constituents in the eyes?

Analysis

The prudential perspective from the head commissioner’s vantage point has several elements. His or her job is in jeopardy if the power plant is not built. Being the head commissioner is crucial to this individual’s worldview perspective. This slant of the prudential viewpoint would be to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. The clock is ticking in order to achieve the “grandfathered status.” You must have a permit in hand and in the process of construction to get this. Thus, you should act immediately.