Report Reveals Environmental Regulation Stimulates Jobs
A report released this month by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation shows that implementing environmental regulations on farms, in sewage treatment, and in air treatment facilities push job growth, despite arguments to the contrary. The Allegheny Frontís Kate Malongowski has this story.
Transcript
MALONGOWSKI: The report has challenged claims that environmental regulations mean job loss.
It cites data from the 2010 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Foundation President Will Baker says there was no information that showed environmental regulations translated into killing jobs.
BAKER: When somebody says that improving a sewage treatment plant is going to lose jobs, destroy jobs, think about that. How can building a sewage treatment plant and all that goes into it destroy jobs? Just intuitively, you know itís going to create jobs. So when people say things with a profit motive in mind, like it sounds like it just doesnít make sense, challenge them on it.
MALONGOWSKI: The report estimates that more than 100,000 jobs would be created in making improvements to sewage treatment plants alone.
In Pennsylvania, there are more regulations being implemented in the agricultural sector due to EPA total maximum daily load limits, but with resistance. The American Farm Bureau and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau have filed a lawsuit arguing federal overreach.
And while occupations like construction are temporary, Baker says there are permanent jobs that remain after improvements are finished, and that there can be more growth to businesses without as much environmental harm.
For the Allegheny Front, Iím Kate Malongowski.
Kate Malongowski
Kate Malongowski graduated from Duquesne University in 2010 with a BA in Journalism and Digital Media.
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