Enviro Groups Try to Sell Clean-Up Bill by Touting Jobs

The 2011 Clean Water Act, co-sponsored by Senator Sharon Nelson (D-34) and Representative Timm Ormsby (D-3) made its debut in the legislature yesterday. In case you forgot the specifics, the bill would raise $100 million dollars annually—by charging a one percent fee on purchases of hazardous substances—to provide funds for toxic cleanup of the state’s rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound, which are primarily polluted by petroleum.

But aside from the environmentalism feel-goodery, advocates say the legislation would serve an equally important function of creating thousands of jobs in the state. (And the heavens cried pure, unpolluted tears of joy! Hurrah!)

“Clean water is the key to our region’s economy, and we are seeing the catastrophic effects of polluted runoff throughout Washington,” said Jennifer Barnes, an architect and member of Cascadia Region Green Building Council, in a press release sent out yesterday. “We know how to solve the problem; this bill creates the means—and the jobs—to do so.”

While big oil refineries may feel unfairly targeted by the bill, its supporters are unapologetic, citing Washington’s high levels of water pollution. “Puget Sound and rivers across the state are under siege from toxic runoff,” said Joan Crooks, Executive Director of Washington Environmental Council. “It’s only fair to ask polluters to pay their share of cleanup costs.”