Karen Matusic | 202-682-8118 | matusick@api.org
WASHINGTON, August 26, 2009 - As many as 9,300 jobs would be wiped out in North Dakota if a climate change bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives becomes law, a study shows. The average North Dakota household would see its purchasing power drop by as much as $1,880 a year.
A CRA International analysis of the “American Clean Energy and Security Act”, which passed by a narrow 219-212 vote in the House in June, reveals the devastating impact the policy would have on ordinary North Dakota residents. The Senate this fall will debate its version of a bill to address climate change.
According to the CRA analysis, the legislation would result in big job losses - more than 2 million nationwide - and would lead to a 1.3 percent decline in the national gross domestic product in 2030. The average U.S. household would see its purchasing power fall by $910 in 2015 and by $1,170 by 2030.
The CRA study, commissioned by API, shows that 8,600 jobs in North Dakota would be wiped out by 2015. By 2020, 9,300 jobs will be lost and then 8,800 by 2025 and 7,300 by 2030. The job losses would be felt broadly as output in key sectors like energy intensive businesses, services, and manufacturing all declined.
The average North Dakota household will see its real household income fall by $1,670 a year in 2015, and by $1,880 a year by 2030. And the state’s economic growth would be hobbled by this bill as the estimated gross state product would decline by 0.8% in 2015 and by 0.9% in 2030, CRA said.
The economic toll of the bill would also lead to a big reduction in North Dakota state revenue from tax receipts. Tax revenues would shrink by $50 million in 2015 and by $90 million in 2030, taking away much-needed funds that could be used for schools, hospitals and police and fire departments.
CRA International is a global consulting firm.
Updated: August 26, 2009