May
14, 2014
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental
agencies regulate the impact of businesses on the environment (Environmental
Regulations). The EPA develops and enforces regulations that put into place
environmental laws approved by Congress (Environmental Regulations). Many
people agree that it is beneficial to our environment to have administrations
such as these enforcing regulations intended to keep our environment safe.
However, there are also those who feel that the cost is great.
When
we look at government funded administrations like the EPA, there are both pros
and cons to consider. On the plus side the EPA has benefited the environment by
seeing that certain environmental hazards are controlled such as: vehicle and
industrial air pollutants, hazardous and toxin substances and materials, agricultural
and food pollutants, solid wastes and drinking waters, sewage, industrial, oil
and mining pollutants, runoff and agricultural wastewaters, and coastal and fisheries
pollution (EPA at 40: Pros and Cons). They also ensure the protection of: endangered
flora and fauna, and cultural, historic and scenic resources (EPA at 40: Pros
and Cons).
However, although there are benefits from the EPA, there are also things
some people and organizations, like The National Association of Manufacturers,
may be concerned with. The
National Association of Manufacturers are concerned that the EPA may be
overregulating. They explain that manufacturers are troubled by the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) “aggressive agenda” and the “significant
impact its regulations will have on manufacturing in the United States” (EPA
Overregulation). They state that, “The EPA's actions will add new burdens and restrictions,
increase costs, destroy jobs and undermine U.S. manufacturers' ability to compete
in the global marketplace” (EPA Overregulation). The EPA’s strict regulations also contribution to the
unemployment rate and inflation. Since the EPA expanded, the unemployment rate
has risen by 33.3% (EPA at 40: Pros and Cons). This is a concern for U.S.
citizens who need jobs to provide for their families. This is also a concern
for businesses who need to hire more employees to keep their businesses running
smoothly but cannot afford it because of environmental regulations inflicting
on their budget. Also, environmental regulations effect inflation and the costs
of goods, services, energies and activities (EPA at 40: Pros and Cons).
So
although there are clearly benefits to our environment that we get to enjoy by
environmental regulations, there is also a price to pay to uphold these regulations.
Everyone most likely wants a healthy and clean environment, however it can be
difficult on many people to deal with what it costs to achieve it.
References
Environmental
Regulations | SBA.gov. (n.d.). Environmental Regulations | SBA.gov.
Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/starting-managing-business/starting-business/business-law-regulations/environmental-regulations
EPA at
40: Pros and cons. (n.d.). Examiner.com. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from
http://www.examiner.com/article/epa-at-40-pros-and-cons
EPA
Overregulation. (n.d.). - National Association of Manufacturers.
Retrieved May 14, 2014, from
http://www.nam.org/Issues/Energy-and-Climate/EPA-Overregulation.aspx
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