Job Killers vs. People Killers

A couple of recent posts in the always great Climate Progress underscore a huge detachment from reality in today’s political conversation regarding environmental regulation.

First, a debunking of regulations as “job killers”:

One report from the University of Massachusetts estimates that more than 250,000 jobs will be created through installation of new equipment at existing power plants and construction of new clean energy facilities. Net job creation is a bit harder to gauge, as there will be jobs lost in some areas of the industry in a shift away from coal to natural gas and renewables. But leading power providers are contradicting GOP “job-killing” talking points by explaining that new air-quality regulations will have an overall positive impact on job creation.

And second, a look at what is actually at stake:

By December 16 the Environmental Protection Agency will promulgate its final rule requiring coal-fired power plants to reduce their emissions of mercury, arsenic, acid gases, and other toxic chemicals. The EPA notes that these safeguards will reduce premature deaths by 17,000 people annually as well as prevent 12,000 hospital visits and 120,000 cases of aggravated asthma. The economic benefits could outweigh the costs by up to $14-to-$1.

If you’re going to take an honest look at the issue, there’s no denying that we need to change the conversation. Supporters of the fossil fuel industry want to you believe that cleaner energy policies are “job killers.” It’s imperative that we remind them their policies are people killers. And that’s a fact.

Cross-posted with FearLess Revolution.

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