The states may have been inexperienced in the 1970s when so many of our environmental laws were passed. But the states have matured. They have well-developed environmental laws. Many states have more stringent laws than those required by the federal government. Nine out of ten enforcement actions in the nation are brought by the states.
Many states have a talented pool of environmental engineers, technicians, and other experts.
Above all, the states are closest to many of the real environmental problems that we still face. The localities and communities are even closer. They are best able to balance competing environmental interests and come up with solutions that are most meaningful to them. An increasing number of localities, like Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH and Charlotte, NC, have gained high-level expertise through relationships with their own neighboring universities and private sector. The new environmentalism does not call for a universal shift of all problem-solving to the states.