[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 190 (Monday, December 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2225-E2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FARM DUST REGULATION PREVENTION ACT OF 2011

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                               speech of

                          HON. FRANK D. LUCAS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2011

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Farm Dust Regulation 
Prevention Act.
  This bipartisan legislation is necessary to ensure that farmers and 
ranchers will not be subjected to excessive regulation from the 
Environmental Protection Agency.
  The EPA currently has the ability to tighten regulatory standards for 
dust under the Clean Air Act.
  Should the EPA do so, farmers, ranchers, and rural economies could be 
devastated. On dry days, production could come to a standstill as 
producers focus on controlling dust rather than producing food.
  After months of receiving questions and concerns from farmers, 
ranchers, and their Representatives in Congress, the Administrator of 
the EPA finally stated that her agency does not intend to change the 
current standards.
  However, as long as EPA Administrator Jackson retains unchecked power 
to implement stricter standards, farmers and ranchers could be subject 
to oppressive regulations at any time.
  A legislative fix is the only way to give farmers and ranchers the 
certainty they need to invest in the future without worrying about the 
influence of overzealous activists on EPA's regulations.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

[[Page E2226]]



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