High-Wage Jobs Preserved While Protecting the Environment
MADISON – This week the Wisconsin State Legislature took up and passed Senate Bill (SB) 547, monumental reform regarding the state’s phosphorus discharge requirements, and the reform drew praise from the Wisconsin chamber of commerce.
Eric Bott, Director of Energy and Environmental Policy for Wisconsin’s Chamber of Commerce – WMC – issued the following statement regarding passage of SB 547:
“WMC praises the authors of SB 547, Senators Rob Cowles and Paul Farrow and Representative Amy Loudenbeck, for their dedicated efforts to craft a smarter approach to resolving Wisconsin’s phosphorus impairment issues. It is very likely that the legislature’s actions this week will save hundreds, if not thousands of family supporting jobs in the foundational Wisconsin industries of paper production, cheese making, and food processing.
“Current phosphorus regulations would have required these industries to invest hundreds of millions, and perhaps billions of dollars on compliance technology yet have inconsequential impacts on our waterways. The tools created by SB 547 will allow employers to better focus their resources on the primary sources of phosphorus impairment in a much more economical way than previously allowed.
“SB 547 is a win-win-win. It will lower compliance costs for businesses and municipalities, protect thousands of jobs, and ultimately lead to better environmental outcomes.”
For Further Information Contact:
Eric Bott, (608) 258-3400
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