The Stockholm Environment Institute-U.S. Center at Tufts University released a new report today that finds new federal regulations for coal ash ponds and landfills could yield a net gain of 28,000 new jobs per year.

Kingston TVA coal ash spill in 2008. A new report found that new federal regulations for coal ash ponds and landfills could yield a net gain of 28,000 new jobs per year. (EPA)

The following statement is from Earthjustice attorney and coal ash expert Lisa Evans:

“A major nonprofit think tank confirms what we’ve known all along: regulating coal ash is not only good for the environment, it’s good for the economy. Unfounded industry claims about the burdens of finally having to clean up their mess are simply misguided cries that the sky is falling. In fact, setting strong, federally enforceable regulations for coal ash that protect communities and get coal ash out of our drinking water are exactly what this country needs during these tough economic times.

“As the U.S. House of Representatives considers legislation this week that would eviscerate the EPA’s ability to set the first-ever federal regulations for coal ash disposal, I hope they take a moment to read this important study and recognize that what America wants right now are not partisan ideological attacks, but smart, reasonable protections for our health and environment. Federal coal ash regulations are just the type of action that will get us back onto a prosperous path.”