As expected, President Obama yesterday vetoed a disapproval resolution passed by Congress that would have nullified the controversial clean water rule by EPA, better known as Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS. “Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that … Read More
NCBA Urges House to Support Disapproval of WOTUS
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, along with 42 state affiliate organizations, have sent a letter to the House of Representatives urging support of Senate Joint Resolution 22, disapproval of the EPA and Army Corps’ “waters of the United States” rule. NCBA President Philip Ellis, said withdrawal or defunding of WOTUS remains a top priority for cattlemen. … Read More
EPA's WOTUS Social Media Campaign Judged Illegal
In a legal opinion released on Monday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “violated publicity or propaganda and anti-lobbying provisions contained in appropriations acts with its use of certain social media platforms in association with its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking.” According to the GAO: Specifically, EPA violated the publicity or propaganda … Read More
EPA Launches Nutrient Recycling Challenge
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is partnering with pork and dairy producers, USDA, and environmental and scientific experts to host a competition to find technologies that can recycle nutrients from livestock waste and create valuable products. EPA agricultural counselor Ron Carleton was at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting last week to announce the Nutrient Recycling challenge. “To try to … Read More
Ag Groups Pleased with Court Ruling Against WOTUS
A new ruling issued today by a federal appeals court places a nationwide stay on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule, better known as Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). The court agreed with petitioners that the treatment in the rule of tributaries, “adjacent waters,” and waters having a “significant nexus” to navigable waters is at odds with a previous … Read More
USPOULTRY Challenging EPA’s Clean Water Rule
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) joined a broad coalition, made up of agricultural and industry groups, in a lawsuit that seeks to vacate the controversial “Clean Water Rule” issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps of Engineers earlier this year. On June 28, 2015, EPA and the Corp issued the final rule despite the submission of … Read More
Cargill, Inc. Settles Clean Air Act Violations
Cargill, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has reached an administrative civil settlement with Environmental Protection Agency over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its Vitamin E manufacturing facility in Eddyville, Iowa. Cargill’s Eddyville facility uses the hazardous air pollutants methanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether, and formaldehyde to produce Vitamin E and similar compounds from soybean byproducts. Facility inspections and … Read More
John Block Report – EPA Overreach
John Block reports each week from Washington and this week he is tackling the topic we are all still talking about…the EPA’s overreach. Andy Johnson of Fort Bridger, WY is being sued by the EPA for $37,500 per day for a stock pond on his farm. Before building the pond Johnson obtained a state permit, which Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead, … Read More
NMPF Addresses EPA, Army Corps Regarding WOTUS
Following the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota’s decision last Thursday to grant a temporary injunction in 13 states of the EPA’s WOTUS rule the National Milk Producers Federation has responded with a letter to the Obama Administration. They urged the EPA and the Army Corps that WOTUS should be suspended nationwide. “The EPA implementation schedule for … Read More
NPPC Urges WOTUS Delay
Following Thursday’s federal court injunction against a new Clean Water Act (CWA) rule, the National Pork Producers Council says they strongly urge the Obama administration to delay implementation of the regulation. The organization also again asked the administration to withdraw it and to work with the agriculture and business communities to craft a rule ensuring the cleanliness of the nation’s … Read More