COALITION OF SENATORS OPPOSES MORE STRICT EPA STANDARD FOR DUST

     A bipartisan coalition of 21 U.S. senators is warning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a stricter standard for large particulate matter (dust) could impose significant costs on the agricultural sector. A July 23 letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson urges the agency to forego its proposal to tighten the national ambient air quality standard for dust. EPA’s proposed standard would be twice as stringent as current regulations.

     The senators suggested a tougher standard would be “extremely burdensome for farmers and livestock producers.” They pointed to higher projected costs for farmers due to the excessive dust control measures.

     “We all want a clean and healthy environment, but it defies common sense to mandate that farmers keep dust between their fence rows when combining or that the county government keep gravel dust on the road,” said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa .

     In addition to Grassley , U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback of Kansas were among those signing the letter to Jackson . NCBA also has provided input to EPA suggesting the proposed standard would make it virtually impossible for many critical U.S. industries, including ranching and feeding, to comply.