Environmental Regulations and Industrial Competitiveness - Case Studies of Toxic Industries in Southern California

While polluting industries in the U.S. continue to emit billions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air, land and water every year, many economists and policy makers argue that environmental regulations stifle economic growth and reduce the standard of living for the American people.  This book takes a fresh look at this question through three case studies of highly regulated polluting industries in the Southern California region: metal finishing, wood furniture, and dry cleaning. The case studies are based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, including in-depth interviews with corporate managers and environmental regulators. The authors find that there is no universal pattern for predicting the effects of environmental regulations on industrial competitiveness, but that the outcomes depend on the structure of the industry being regulated, the design of the regulations, and the technologies that are available for compliance. The book is written in straight forward language that is accessible to the non-economist and will prove an essential resource for academics and students of all levels, and professionals and policy makers in the fields of environmental policy and regional economic development. 

Ward Thomas is a Professor in the Urban Studies and Planning Department at California State University, Northridge.  He has a Ph.D. in urban planning and a master's degree in public administration.  His research focuses on economic development, environmental racism, and environmental policy and he teaches a variety of courses in these areas, including the growth and development of cities, public policy analysis, environmental justice, and urban and regional economic development. 

Paul Ong is Research Professor at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the Institute on the Environment and Sustainability, and is the Director of the Center for Neighborhood Knowledge. He has a master's in urban planning and a doctorate in economics, and his research focuses on the urban spatial structure, race and economic inequality, environmental justice, and urban labor market disparities.  He has served on advisory committees or as a technical advisor for numerous federal, state and regional agencies, including the Southern California Air Quality Management District. He is one of the 2021 recipients of the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award from the California Air Resource Board for his work on environmental justice and community service.