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Remarks of the Vice President at the Council on Environmental Quality Luncheon, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. [Speeches by Others]
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7341886
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Remarks of the Vice President at the Council on Environmental Quality Luncheon, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. [Speeches by Others]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
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1975-12-10
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1975
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Digitized from Box 19 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR RELEASE UPON DELIVERY
DECEMBER 10, 1975
1:45 P.M., December 10, 1975
Office of the Vice Presidnet
REMARKS OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
AT THE
COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY LUNCHEON
MAYFLOWER HOTEL
WASHINGTON, D. C.
December 10, 1975
Yesterday, I completed the last of six public forums on domestic
policy review which President Ford has asked me to hold throughout
the country.
Everywhere we went we found -- along with concern about the economy,
unemployment and inflation--that the American people are still deeply
committed to the environment. We found that the American people want
economic growth that will not destroy this country's environmental
heritage. At the same time, they want balanced environmental
protection that does not paralyze economic growth and future job
opportunities.
The environmental movement, which began in the 1960s -- and for which
we owe so much credit to our young people -- has proved to be no fad.
It continues to be a high priority of the American people.
Yet, much has changed since the euphoria of Earth Day celebrations in
1970. Since then, the country underwent its worst economic decline
since the Great Depression. Since then, we experienced the oil
embargo which, together with subsequent price increases, has more than
quadrupled oil prices. Since then, crop failures in parts of the
world and the Russian wheat sale drove up food prices, as well. The
American people found themselves confronted with simultaneous inflatio
and recession.
Yet, public support for environmental programs has held up. As.
Mr. O'Neill, of Opinion Research pointed out to you earlier, 90
per cent of the people believe that if we do not clean up the
environment now, it will cost more money in the long run. And 60
per cent of the people are willing to pay higher prices to protect
the environment.
It seems safe to say, therefore, that those of you manufacturing
environmental equipment are engaged in a growth sector of the economy.
However, the watchwords today have got to be realism and balance
between our environmental aspirations and our economic necessities.
I am presently serving as Chairman of the National Commission on
Water Quality. And I would like to draw upon this experience to
illustrate the need for balance and realism. The Congress created
this Commission to find out the total economic, social and
environmental impacts of the Clean Water Act passed in 1972.
(MORE)
Page 2
For example by June 30, 1977, municipalities are required under
the Act to give their waste waters secondary treatment and the
estimated range in costs for doing so is considerable. If storm
water problems are not included, the cost of secondary treatment
will run about $78.5 billion. If treatment of storm water run-off
is included, the cost could climb to nearly $600 billion.
As for industries, by that June 1977 deadline, they are to give
their wastes the best practicable treatment, or better if necessary.
And the cost of this treatment to industry is estimated at $44.3
billion, assuming that all firms could meet these expenses.
However, the Commission's studies indicate that a considerable
number of plants will fold because they cannot meet these costs.
On this basis, the cost for industries which can survive this
investment becomes $36.6 billion.
From this example it is obvious that we have got some hard thinking
ahead of us. We have got to make sure, especially in the current
tight budgetary climate, that the environmental dollar is invested
where it is needed most. We have got to make sure that environmental
laws, rules and regulations are reasonable, that they are formulatec
with a clear awareness of their potential impact on the economy,
and that the goals set are realizable.
I have no doubt that there is enough resourcefulness in this country
SO that we do not have to pit the environment against the economy.
We have to proceed with both in harmony. It may be harder. It may
take longer. It may cost more. But we have to do it -- and we
can do it.
In meeting your responsibilities, the government owes you continuity
and consistency in its environmental programs SO that you can plan
intelligently without being plagued by "stop-and-go" bureaucratic
behavior and uncertainties.
And I believe there is also something that you owe your customers.
To a degree, your markets are assured by the fact that industries
have to buy your wares in order to comply with the law.
At the same time, you have a challenging responsibility to develop
the technology, to promote research and development, and to call
upon your highest managerial skills, so that your products and
services enable your customers to clean up their wastes at the
lowest possible cost. In that way we can have the clean environment
that our people want. And at the same time we can have the
economic growth and jobs that people need if they are to be able to
enjoy clean waters, pure air and unspoiled lands.
I thank you for this opportunity to be with you. And I congratulate
you for making your business the vital business of restoring a
more livable world.
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