Michigan farms are in the costly crosshairs of a wayward U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA, under the pretense of the Clean Air Act, wants to address perceived climate change by regulating greenhouse gases on farms. But Congress hasn’t given EPA this authority. Yet, EPA stubbornly insists on moving forward anyway.
It’s estimated greenhouse gas regulations would impact thousands of farms, from a 25-cow herd to 500 acres of corn, and cost an average $23,000 per permit, with the expenses far outweighing any environmental benefits.
Michigan Congressman Fred Upton wants to end the nonsense. Recently, the U.S. House passed legislation introduced by Upton which would preserve EPA’s ability to regulate motor vehicle air emissions but preempt the agency from regulating greenhouse gases on farms.
Farm Bureau thanks Rep. Upton for attempting to restore some order and common sense to EPA. Now it’s time for the U.S. Senate to follow his lead.
Wayne H. Wood/Michigan Farm Bureau President