EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin took more than 30 environmental regulations yesterday. In fact, he called it “the biggest de-regulation day in history. A big part of that for the ag community is the Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS. The Agency says it will align its policy with the Supreme Court’s Sackett ruling in 2023.
Zeldin says he is putting an end to “ping pong rulemaking.”
Farm groups tell us they are ready.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says he appreciates Zeldin for taking this major step that will bring clarity for farmers and ranchers. He says previous inaction and vague guidelines led to unneeded litigation and delays. Zeldin says he and the Army Corps of Engineers will work quickly to write a new rule, adding he is confident it will get through without any delays.
As part of his overhaul, Zeldin said EPA will soon take steps to reconsider vehicle emissions standards formed under the previous Administration. Senator Deb Fischer says those rules laid the groundwork for President Biden’s electric vehicle mandate. Fischer supports the reconsideration, saying it offers practical, market-driven changes.
The emissions announcement is related to Zeldin’s interpretation of the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which he says the Agency will reconsider. Zeldin says the finding is how the EPA was able to start regulating greenhouse gas emissions. He called it unorthodox and said it has since cost Americans trillions of dollars. Zeldin said through his reconsideration he would give the public a chance to weigh in.
