Feldscher, K. (2015, November 21). Bush says he’d repeal signature Obama environmental regulations. Retrieved November 22, 2015, from http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bush-says-hed-repeal-power-plant-water-rules/article/2576075

Former Florida Governor Jeb bush stated during the fourth Republican presidential primary debate that he would repeal both the Clean Power Plan and the Waters of the United States regulations. The Clean Power Plan limited the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that power plants could produce. The Waters of the United States protects streams and wetlands that contribute to overall water quality and more precisely defines waters protected by the Clean Water Act. Critics of both plans state that they impede business by imposing bureaucracy and unneeded costs and fees on utilities. They call both laws an unconstitutional overreach by Obama and the EPA. Other Republicans have made similar promises to repeal Obama’s environmental legislation.

This is yet another example of the modern regulation conflict that is faced by environmentalists in the United States. There is a certain sect of American politicians that will refuse to vote for any environmental regulation. They believe that any regulation is an impediment to business, and therefore to the American economy. Many of them don’t believe in or are undecided about the existence of global warming. While they have a point that the United States must balance the interests of business with the health of the environment, these are common-sense regulations. Cutting carbon emissions and maintaining stream water quality are sensible goals. The Waters of the United States also makes it easier to define what is water, making the Clean Water Act easier to enforce. The effect on industry is minimal at best, and the effect on jobs is negligible. The United States should keep these laws on the books in order to preserve our environment and prevent pollution.