Carbon emission regulations proposed by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sparked a new debate on whether the changes are creating or declining job opportunities, reported St. Louis Public Radio.
On June 2, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the policy to cut carbon emission from existing power plants by 2030, which is the single largest source of carbon pollution in the US, by 30 per cent.
Developed nations are of the opinion that new EPA regulations that account for 30 percent pollution reduction from power plants by 2030 will kill jobs.
The new regulation has suggested a 21 percent carbon emission reduction in Missouri. This will lower the carbon emission from 1,963 pounds to 1,544 pounds per MW in an hour by 2030, reports the news agency.
Natural Resources Defence Council (NDRC) estimates that 3,900 new job vacancies will be created in Missouri. However, there are conflicting opinions on the impact of new policies on employment.
NDRC calculates that more expert hands will be needed in various fields. There will be job vacancies of around 250,000, with technicians and other skilled workers in demand, according to the news agency.
However, U.S. Chamber of Commerce counters this argument saying the new policy will result in 220,000 fewer jobs annually through 2030, in addition to great amount of money being invested in remodelling the electric grid.
Matt Letourneau, senior director of communications, Chamber’s Energy Institute, said, “A lot of man power, time and money will be invested in rebuilding the infrastructure. This could have been invested elsewhere in industry nourishing economy”.
EPA is waiting for public comments on the proposal and will not finalize it for another one year. Many states have threatened lawsuits if the rule is taken forward. GPO governors have sent a joint letter to U.S. President regarding the modification of federal regulations, says report from news agency.
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