I’m Bob Larson. A new study shows the Supreme Court’s Hirst decision is costing the state $7-billion dollars per year in unrealized economic activity.

The study by the Building Industry Association shows the ruling makes it too difficult and too costly for most rural and suburban property owners to obtain permits for new wells.

Senator Tim Sheldon says it’s kicking rural Washington while it’s down …

TIM SHELDON … “Well, I think the extremely high number, over $7-billion dollars, potentially lost each year in economic activity is just astonishing because rural economies are already suffering in Washington. As everyone notes, Amazon activity in Seattle, the good economy in the Puget Sound are in general is not shared by the rest of the state.”

Sheldon says the environmentalist’s numbers don’t add up …

TIM SHELDON … “The environmentalist’s concerns about this is unfounded. It’s not based on science and I think maybe it’s a desire to have the rural areas always remain the same. And, I don’t see any big changes coming from the rural areas except no development. Even with some development, it’s not harmful.”

Sheldon says it’s become too political … and Frank Chopp should let the House decide …

TIM SHELDON … “I feel that the compromise that we’re reaching here would certainly pass if the Speaker of the House would allow it to come to a vote in the House of Representatives. We’ve already passed the bill in the Senate, with bipartisan support, four times.”

Listen tomorrow to hear more on this study and how the rural landowners are the real environmentalists.