Green Vs. Potential Border Profits

I just read a somewhat humerous but sobering article in my local paper.

 New environmental rules seem to have spurred a flurry of inter-state smuggling.

Last July, Spokane County Washington became the launch pad for our nation's strictest ban on dishwasher detergents made with phosphates. It is well known that phosphates are a heavy water polluter and this is an attempt to reduce water pollution! The ban will become statewide come July 2010 and several other states are expected to follow suit!

Now for the smuggling part: It would appear that "green" detergents do (1) Not cut grease and (2) Don't get dishes clean. Those folks in Spokane County were forced to either wash their dishes by hand, put them through a pot & pan cycle (more water) or head East on Interstate 90 into Idaho....for the real deal! One, unnamed, Consumer says"everyone she knows buys their soap in Idaho". The manager of the Costco in Coeur d'Alene Idaho estimates his detergent sales have increased 10%.

Among the other States considering a like ban are our sister states of Vermont and Massachusetts.

For years our border businesses in NH have benefited from tobacco and liquor pricing and our lack of sales tax......do we have another potential source of revenue? On which side will the Legislative debate land? Will we too go green or encourage non-green sales benefits? 

Boy....Kermie was right! It's not easy being green! 

 

 

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