Weekly Column: Time to Hold EPA Accountable

Statement

Over the past two and a half years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has grown increasingly intrusive when it comes to regulating agriculture and businesses. This has been reflected in my conversations with many of you. Whether it's a proposed rule to regulate farm dust or farm ponds, or energy plants threatened with shutting their doors due to increased regulations, it's clear EPA is out of touch with a country and economy still working hard to emerge from a recession. The agency's aggressive rulemaking regime highlights the need to take stronger steps to rein it in, which is exactly what I've done.

Making EPA's regulations all the more frustrating is its recent barnstorming charm offensive throughout the Midwest. EPA officials have been touring rural America, maybe even stopping in a town near you, in an effort to convince farmers and ranchers that the agency's aggressive regulations won't negatively impact producers. They are telling you the Obama Administration is not "doing anything new" when it comes to new rules, especially agricultural regulations. It's baffling and disingenuous that they'd tell this to farmers and ranchers while simultaneously telling Congress they won't blink an eye if their regulations put farmers or other job creators out of business.

The double talk at EPA goes all the way to the top. Administrator Lisa Jackson recently stated that EPA plans to meet farmers and ranchers and take their thoughts into account before enacting new proposals. Yet in a letter to 33 concerned U.S. Senators, Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy wrote that when EPA drafts proposals regarding air quality standards, it is "not focused on any specific category of sources or any activity, including activities relating to agriculture or rural roads." She left no room for confusion by adding, "the agency is prohibited from considering costs." In other words, the costs to American agriculture and businesses have no bearing on EPA's pursuit of its regulatory regime, and despite their best public relations campaign, agriculture will not be exempted.

These words are already bearing bitter-tasting fruit. Earlier this month, American Electric Power announced it would likely close three coal plants in West Virginia if EPA air quality regulations are finalized, at a cost of thousands of jobs. Everyone wants clean air, and EPA certainly should be focused on policies that improve the environment. But to be so blind to our country's agricultural and economic realities is leading us down a dangerous path.

Congress must now ramp up its oversight of EPA. Just as elected officials are held accountable for their decision-making, EPA officials must be held to the standard of their statements made to our country's farmers, ranchers and business owners. Their overreaching regulations will have rippling effects across the Heartland, and Americans have a right to know the price. Legislation I introduced with Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) would require a cost analysis of proposed EPA rules before they go into effect. With EPA revving up its charm offensive while pushing for more onerous regulations, it's imperative that everyone involved is aware of exactly how our country and our economy will be impacted. It's time to hold EPA accountable.

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