Farm groups want Senate to act against EPA GHG regulation.

On January 2, 2011 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be able to regulate stationary sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. This has many farm groups worried, and they are letting their concerns be known.

According to a press release by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the AFBF and 48 additional farm groups have joined up to voice their concerns to the Senate that, "without relief from Congress, agriculture could suffer severe economic impacts from the EPA's plan to regulate stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions." The coalition is concerned that stationary sources could be affected by the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program and Title V operating permits.

In order to prevent this from happening, the coalition would like to see Congress pass a disapproval resolution that "will effectively veto the EPA's scheme to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as pollutants." The coalition argues that national policy, with regard to GHG emissions, should be set by Congress and not a federal agency. Their is a resolution in the Senate that does what the groups want, but it is not clear whether or not that resolution will come up for a vote.

To read the AFBF press release, click here.

Posted: 05/19/10