Many environmental problems are transboundary. For example, air pollution generated by power plants in one state often migrates to others. Some states are more receptive to innovation than others. Some states strive to exceed federal standards of environmental protection. Others seek only to meet federal standards, and nothing more.
Federal government continues to provide major assistance to state environmental protection efforts.
Multistate partnerships for regional environmental management have received major assistance from the federal government. Financial and technical assistance. We make it, you take it strategy. State A sets unusually high standards for waste disposal. Waste then flows to disposal sites in other states with lower standards.