Dust Bill Passes House, Headed to Senate

By a vote of 268 to 150, the U.S. House has passed the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 20ll. Written by Representative Kristi Noem of South Dakota, the act, H.R. 1633, would prohibit EPA from placing regulations on farm dust. Noem said – this is a huge win for farmers and ranchers. The regulation of farm dust is not a partisan issue. It is a rural issue. Senator Mike Johanns applauded the news that the House of Representatives had passed the farm dust bill. Johanns says the legislation would – provide legal certainty to farmers and ranchers. EPA’s pledge to not regulate farm dust was important, but a valid argument has been made that it does not prevent future Administrations from doing so. The House bill puts this issue to rest for good. Johanns hopes – we can build on the House’s bipartisan support and pass my legislation in the Senate to ensure we avoid this dust-up in the future. Senator Johanns’ legislation would enable EPA to consider the source of particulate matter while prohibiting the agency from regulating farm dust. After Senator Johanns introduced his legislation, EPA announced it would not be revising its regulation on coarse particulate matter. However, Johanns also indicated that the flaw in the current law allowing EPA to consider onerous regulations of farm dust must be addressed to give farmers and ranchers long-term certainty...more

The article also has this about the NFU:

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union believes the Dust Regulation Prevention Act is unnecessary. NFU President Roger Johnson says it is a – meaningless, unnecessary bill. He says – misinformation regarding potential dust regulation continues to spread across the country, creating unnecessary concern for farmers and ranchers. Congress should stop politicizing this issue and move on to passing meaningful legislation to help farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

Roger was the Sec. of Ag in North Dakota when I was Sec. in NM, and I enjoyed working with him.  But come on Roger, your comments are right out of the Democrats playbook and designed to give them political cover.  Besides, if there is a "potential dust regulation" in 2011, just think what the potential may be after 2012 if your buddy Obama wins.  Congrats to the House for making sure that won't happen.