Environmental regulation should be almost exclusively the domain of the states themselves. Even then they can’t really be trusted to rip off the taxpayers.
After the Embridge pipeline spill here in Michigan there was lots of screeching about Embridge not inspecting their pipeline. There wasn’t much mention of the fact that the state had been paying for a non existent pipeline inspector for the past decade.
Granted the company should have been inspecting their own pipeline but there was no urgency because they knew the state wasn’t doing it either.
I don’t disagree. The states were not doing the job and really could not be trusted. Further standards varied from state to state, if there were any standards at all. Couple this with a near complete lack of appreciation for the dangerous nature of many aspects of an electro mechanical industrial society and the stage was set for serious pollution problems. With much research and effort we fixed our problems. And I understand the method was unconstitutional. China has NO excuse. The leadership appears ready and willing to poison their population for a buck. Or whatever they call it. The fix is a bit costly but necessary correction to their industrial base to protect their country. Hope they do it before it is too late for their people.