Last Friday, President Obama tossed out a new smog regulation that had been first announced in January 2010. He cited the condition of the dismal economy and the uncertainty that is holding it down as reasoning for his decision.
Some argue Obama's decision was purely political, though White House officials insist otherwise. Normally in support of protecting the environment with appropriate regulation, Obama only seems to have tried to gain political favor with the Republican party which is becoming increasing critical of what they believe are expensive environmental policies.
Crazy as it may sound, the presidential election is right around the corner, so it is time to bring out the political tactics and the poor decisions that go along with them. In this case, Obama is attempting to counter the looming, stubborn cloud that is the 9.1 percent unemployment rate.
That and other unfulfilled campaign promises seem to require a serious attempt to show the American electorate that economic strength is his priority. Unfortunately for him, it will likely backfire for two big reasons.
Repealing this one regulation will do little to improve the economic outlook. A huge factor in the health of the economy is, ironically, how citizens view the health of the economy. If people think money is going to be coming in, they're more likely to spend and stimulate business. If businesses anticipate more profits, they're more likely to hire.
Unfortunately, Obama decided the criticism he'd receive for passing what some have deemed expensive regulations is not worth the strengths it'd bring to the environmental industry. However, the uncertainly of a flip-flopping president is still lethal.
Taking a look at the air quality regulation of the past, one finds that businesses nearly always find some way to comply without too substantive of a financial hit. There may be small repercussions in the short term, but the health of our population and workforce will ultimately benefit.
More importantly, the smog regulations would not have taken effect for another year, giving companies enough time to adapt to the regulations, further minimizing any damage to their economic outlook. When they finally would have taken effect, those in violation of the air quality controls would have two years to make adjustments before facing fines.
When one looks at the situation within the time frame, it becomes obvious that improving air quality in this way would have been a manageable task. When regulations can improve health and be reasonably managed by industry, there is no doubt they should be enacted.
The Clean Air Act prohibits the EPA from taking costs into consideration when setting ozone standards. Still it's been calculated that these new limits in the ill-fated regulation would have cost industry between $19 billion and $90 billion a year by 2020. But countering that number is the $13 billion to a $100 billion in health care savings expected to result from the higher quality of air.
Wisconsin's unemployment rate of 7.8 percent, while lower than the national average, is unpleasant. Last month, our financial activities were down 3.2 percent from the previous July. The idea of industry and jobs leaving our state is not a welcome thought, but it does not seem completely unlikely. Unemployment and a slowing economy are valid concerns, but unlikely to have been caused by the smog regulations within the time frame.
Canceling the smog regulation will not pan out the way Obama's administration anticipates, because people see it for what it is—a political move. President Obama and the White House have double-crossed environmental groups that had suspended lawsuits originally filed against the Bush administration and have continued to hold off on the suits based on Obama's promises to use science instead of politics as his guide in decision-making. His recent decision changes things. Unfortunately for him, environmentalists are now threatening to get the lawyers involved—again.
Over a year and a half of attempted progress on the smog regulation was cut short for nothing—not even a political gain by the President.
Heather Heggemeir is a junior with an undeclared major. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
