On the recordDecember 8, 2011
Farm dust is not regulated by the EPA, and EPA Administrator Jackson has clearly stated that the EPA has no plans to regulate farm dust in the future--which makes the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act a solution in search of a problem. Unfortunately, today's legislation is more than just a mere waste of time. Under the guise of protecting farmers from non-existent regulation, H.R. 1633 would define and then exempt a completely new category of particle pollution from the entire Clean Air Act, except under very narrow circumstances. This new exempt category of particle pollution would include both coarse and fine particles from sources that have nothing to do with farming--including particulate matter from mining and other industrial operations like smelters, cement kilns and coal-processing facilities. Whether this consequence is intended or simply the result of sloppy drafting, this legislation should be roundly rejected. Mr. Chair, with barely a week left on this year's congressional calendar, we simply don't have the time to waste on imaginary problems. The challenges our constituents face are real, and the hour is late. We need to focus on growing the economy, reducing our debt and getting people back to work before we adjourn for the year.
