As one who has worked in the field (environmental) for a gazillion years, I should have weighed in yesterday.
The problem is one of economics. If pollution control was free - we'd be doing it. Or if they had value - we'd be doing it (chip makers recover gold at great costs). Economics is the allocation of scarce resources. So who allocates?
The left has always contented top down is necessary and has no regard whatsoever for the effect on the economy. Cleaner is better and to heck with the cost to the point of obsession.
The right has backed away from the environment in the past since it hurts too much to argue with the left.