EPA Sets Foundation For Unprecedented Dust Regulation

Source

WASHINGTON – In the latest step in its review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the foundation for unprecedented regulation of dust. According to EPA’s Second Draft Policy Assessment for Particulate Matter (PM), issued late last week, EPA may consider regulating coarse PM at levels as low as 65-85 µg/m3, twice as stringent as the current standard.

“It would be virtually impossible for many critical U.S. industries to comply with this standard, even with use of best-management practices to control dust,” said Tamara Thies, NCBA chief environmental counsel. “All of us certainly want healthy air for our communities, but this is nothing more than the everyday dust kicked up by a car driving down a dirt road, and it has long been found to be of no health concern at ambient levels.”

Because of the high dust levels found in arid climates, many critical western industries have a difficult time meeting the current standard of 150 µg/m3. In some of these areas, “no-till” days have already been proposed for agriculture, severely hindering farmers’ ability to maintain productive operations.

“Farmers could be fined for everyday activities like driving a tractor down a dirt road or tilling a field,” said Thies. “It would effectively bring economic growth and development to a halt in many areas of the country.”

If EPA regulates dust at the level of 65-85 µg/m3, areas across the country would be classified as “nonattainment,” forcing states to impose extreme dust-control requirements on businesses across the board.

“The current PM standard was set conservatively low based on historically flawed health studies,” Thies continued. “EPA itself acknowledges the current standard was based on a desire to be cautious, and not on clear evidence that this very stringent level was necessary to protect against adverse public health effects. This is especially true for the type of rural dust predominantly found in agricultural and other resource-based operations.”

The policy assessment is the latest step in EPA’s ongoing review of the PM NAAQS, as required every five years under the Clean Air Act. The document will serve as the basis of EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee’s (CASAC) consideration about whether to revise the current PM standard. CASAC is scheduled to discuss the document on July 26.

When will this tyranny end?

These ( insert vulgarity here ) are trying to put all the farmers out of buisness. Government has become totaly corrupt. It has ceased to funtion as implied by the federalist papers and the constitution.

Well what industries do you know that this will either shut them down, or put the cost of production so high that no none can afford their products.

It just seems everyday now this Socialist Adminastration throws another nail in the coffin of the republic.

Any thoughts

You guys have a crazy country. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the EPA the agency that said the air was fit to breath at ground zero in the days following 9/11? I wonder what the particulate levels were that day.

That aside, from an outsider looking in point of view, the Obama administration isn't socialist at all, except perhaps in their rhetoric. Their actual actions aren't all that different from the Bush admins, he just does it with more eloquence.



[edit on 13-7-2010 by eightfold]

reply to post by eightfold


2 political parties one system rotten to its core. Time for a reeboot.

Molon labe!

Absolutely insane. This government doesn't want to only put out of business the farmers who have been a backbone of this country for over two hundred years, but there are many other industries that will be affected. Stonemasons, cement makers, carpenters, etc.

The government is slowly but surely regulating this country to death and we the sheeple are not even aware it is happening. Disgusting.

reply to post by Ceriddwen


Well Since all consent to govern comes from the people maybe its time we deny our consent to be governed until they do things right by the people.

I think it is time steps are taken, but I am not really a fan of the militia aspect, which I know you are. Nothing personal, but it is just not for me.

We need to change the government entirely and get rid of the two party system, electoral college, etc. and stop allowing these tyrants to do this to us, I agree. Honestly I don't know how to go about doing that, and if it takes militias to do it, ok, but I am going to be very cautious in the interim about who and what I support.

Originally posted by SWCCFAN
reply to post by Ceriddwen

 

Well Since all consent to govern comes from the people maybe its time we deny our consent to be governed until they do things right by the people.

i am all for that

reply to post by SWCCFAN

How can we deny our consent to be governed?
second line

reply to post by Starbug3MY


Well first we the people need to grow a pair. ( remember 7/4/1776 )

Government must have our tax dollars to funtion. If just 30% deny the Federal goverment funds they will be forced to contract and down size or come after the people that refuse to pay up. They don't have the jails or the money to incarsirate 30% of americans.

Form defensive groups and if they come for one they come for all. United we stand. Divided we fail.

I have already changed my W2 forms to exempt thus no federal income taxes are taken out. I will also not file taxes again since there is no law that requires me to file. (American Freedom to Facisism )

Stave the Beast reclaim the republic. They are out numbered and surrounded. We can win this if we all work togeather!

[edit on 13-7-2010 by SWCCFAN]

I guess I posted this thread at the wrong time.

I guess I will re-visit the topic when the EPA passes this crap.

I guess they're next step will be to apply this to moving vehicles, walking people, dogs in our backyards kicking up dust and burying their, well you know what they bury. Where does this madness end?

STUPIDITY!!! This is the same organization that refuses to release air quality reports in the Gulf. This is the same EPA that stated that the airquality at ground zero was "Fine". This is the same EPA that hasn't the balls to touch the multitude of REAL chemicals being poured into the environment every single day by multinational corporations. And now they want to set regulations for dust? I mean really, DUST!?!?

OBviously this government has ceased working for the people long ago. Time for a NEW system... preferably one that works this time!

Well if they pass this regulation, I hope they don't send anybody to check under my bed. I don't want anyone disturbing my dustbunny farm. It took me a long time to grow 'em that big!