The Oklahoma congressional delegation has signed a letter protesting the EPA’s proposed regulations on dust particulate matter. The EPA is proposing dust particles be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The proposal would severely restrict any activity that adds dust to the air.
“Farming activities kick up dust. It is impossible to stop it,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Simply driving on a dirt road could potentially violate the EPA’s regulations. If the regulations are approved, this would establish the most stringent and unparalleled regulations of dust in our nation’s history.”
The letter urges EPA Secretary Lisa Jackson to use common sense and refrain from causing extreme hardship to farmers, ranchers and other resource-based industries throughout rural America.
“Despite sound science proving the current regulation of dust is acceptable, the EPA and Obama Administration are pursuing steps that could mean a farmer is violating law by creating dust from driving his tractor. It’s just absurd,” said First District Oklahoma Congressman John Sullivan.
“At a time when our economy is struggling, the government should not be creating obstacles that restrict business activities,” Spradling said. “Agriculture is using modern production methods such as no-till farming, to reduce dust as much as practical, but to achieve a zero-dust environment is impossible.”
“We are pleased our Oklahoma congressional delegation supports our efforts to fight this unnecessary proposal.”
