Agricultural News
Cattlemen Support Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act
Tue, 19 Apr 2011 3:00:48 CDT
Regulating dust generated by everyday activities in rural America is yet another example of overregulation passed down by this administration, according to National Cattlemen's Beef Association President (NCBA) Bill Donald, who is a Montana rancher. Donald, along with Public Lands Council President John Falen, Nevada rancher, submitted a letter of support to Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) for her attempt to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from doubling the stringency of the Coarse Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standard, more commonly called the dust standard by proposing the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act (H.R. 1633). The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Robert Hurt (R-Va.), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) and Larry Kissell (D-N.C.).
On today's Beef Buzz, we hear more about NCBA's support of this legislation from Ashley Lyon, Deputy Environmental Counsel for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.
"EPA has already laid the foundation for regulating dust at unprecedented levels," said NCBA President Donald. "This standard would put large portions of land, including my family operation, in the Midwest, West and Southwest into nonattainment. Economic growth would suffer. And, for what purpose? It is well known at EPA that scientific studies have never shown that rural agricultural dust causes health concerns at ambient levels."
The proposed bipartisan legislation would halt the current revision of the dust standard for one year. It would exempt agricultural dust if state and local authorities have already implemented dust control measures. In areas where there are no state or local dust control measures, EPA would be required to prove substantial negative health effects and show benefits of regulation outweighs economic costs. Falen said this proposed bill not only provides immediate relief but would also give states and localities the first opportunity to protect their citizens.
"This legislation would remove the threat of premature regulation by requiring EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to make specific findings before EPA is allowed to regulate dust generated from agricultural activities," said Falen. "Included in these determinations is a finding of health effects and a cost/benefit analysis, which would require EPA to recognize the financial hardship this costly regulation would impose on rural America."
According to Donald and Falen, NCBA and PLC support passage of H.R. 1633 because it restores common sense to the dust standard while also maintaining the protections of the Clean Air Act.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the state on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the listen bar below for today's show- and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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