The Winston-Salem Journal editorializes on the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ opposition to the EPA’s proposed stricter air pollution standards that would make the Triad and Charlotte noncompliant.
DENR’s opposition is a sign that ‘hell has indeed frozen over,’ says JLF’s Roy Cordato, who can’t believe his eyes when he actually sees a bureaucrat expressing concern that overly restrictive environmental regulation might cost more jobs in a struggling economy.
As you can imagine, Journal uses the same tired old argument:
If DENR wants to make an economic argument, it should be looking at the financial costs of putting millions of North Carolinians at risk of respiratory issues. How much does it cost North Carolina employers, through increased health-insurance premiums and lost productivity, to have their employees sickened by ozone?
Rather than make the arguments for the industries that produce the pollutants that mix to form ozone, DENR should be arguing for the health and well being of state residents.
There are several ways to fight ozone, one being a reduction of tailpipe emissions from cars. This state’s urban areas desperately need better mass-transit systems. A tougher EPA standard for ozone might nudge mass-transit efforts along. The development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars will also help.
Duke energy says “without a doubt, make this the single most expensive Federal environmental legislation ever promulgated.” Yes, I consider the source when reading that statement. Still, this is yet another sign that the Obama administration just doesn’t get it.
