The Charleston Gazette
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W.Va. fares poorly in environment, economy study

Thursday November 16, 2000

By Ken Ward Jr.
STAFF WRITER

States with the best environmental records also offer the best job opportunities and climate for long-term economic development, according to a new report from the Institute for Southern Studies.

Likewise, states with the worst environmental records offer the worst job opportunities and business climate, the report says.

West Virginia is among the states with the worst of both, it says.

"In the 2000 elections, political leaders were still debating about whether protecting the environment will cost jobs," said Chris Kromm, co-author of the report and director of the Institute.

"What this study finds is that the trade-off myth is untrue," Kromm said. "At the state policy level, efforts to promote a healthy environment and a sound economy go hand in hand. "

The study, called, "Gold and Green 2000," uses two separate lists of indicators to evaluate each state's economic performance, and the stresses on its natural environment.

The 20 economic indicators include annual pay, job opportunities, business start-ups and workplace injury rates. The 20 environmental indicators include toxic emissions and pesticide use, energy consumption and urban sprawl.

The report ranks states on the indicators, and the sum of ranks produces the state's final score.

Comparing the two lists shows:

Seven states rank in the top 15 for both economic and environmental health. Vermont, Rhode Island and Minnesota rank in the top six on both lists. Other top performers include Colorado, Maryland, Maine and Wisconsin.

Ten states - mostly in the South - are among the worst 15 on both lists. For example, Louisiana ranks 48th in economic performance and 50th on the environment. Others in the cellar are Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Kentucky and South Carolina.

West Virginia ranked 46th in economic growth and 39th in environmental health.

"This study shows that sustainable development is a matter of political will," Kromm said. "States that protect their natural resources also cherish their human resources.

"And states seeking quick-fix, unsustainable development end up sacrificing both workers and the environment. "

Founded in 1970s, the Institute for Southern Studies is a nonprofit research, education and publishing center dedicated to constructive change in the region. The Institute's magazine, Southern Exposure, has earned a national reputation for its coverage of politics and culture.