EPA to Crack Down on Farm Dust

WaveCameCrashin

IS THIS NOT RIDICULOUS ? :wtf: :crazy:
What's next oxygen ? Water vapor ? I mean hell they already want to regulate methane gas from farm animals.
The EPA's appetite for regulation on the blue collar industry seems to be insatiable.



http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?s ... lienttype=

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a crackdown on farm dust, so senators have signed a letter addressing their concerns on the possible regulations.

The letter dated July 23 to the EPA states, "If approved, would establish the most stringent and unparalleled regulation of dust in our nation's history." It further states, "We respect efforts for a clean and healthy environment, but not at the expense of common sense. These identified levels will be extremely burdensome for farmers and livestock producers to attain. Whether its livestock kicking up dust, soybeans being combined on a dry day in the fall, or driving a car down the gravel road, dust is a naturally occurring event."

Read the letter to EPA signed by 21 senators including Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn

Many in the Oklahoma farming industry are opposed to the EPA's consideration. One farmer said the possible regulations are ridiculous.

"It's plain common sense, we don't want to do anything detrimental," said farmer Curtis Roberts. "If the dust is detrimental to us, it's going to be to everybody. We're not going to do anything to hurt ourselves or our farm."

Roberts, a fourth generation farmer and rancher in Arcadia, said regulating dust in rural areas will hurt farmers' harvest, cultivation and livelihood.

"Anytime you work ground, you're going to have dust. I don't know how they'll regulate it," Roberts said. "The regulations are going to put us down and keep us from doing things we need to be doing because of the EPA."

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling said the rules could be detrimental to farmers across the Sooner State.

"We as an organization do not feel dust is a pollutant," Spradling said. "It would almost be impossible to comply with what's being addressed now from the EPA as in agriculture. We're doing everything we possibly can."

"It's just common sense, we don't like dust in the morning but it's something we got to live with," Roberts said.

Jason P

I'm working at a Soybean Processing / Biodiesel plant and the EPA is really cracking down. The farm dust issue prevented us from using two large storage piles with a capacity of 2,000,000 bushels during last years harvest. The issue at hand was that each pile has a fan at the top that draws air to prevent moisture from ruining the soybeans.

It was obvious to everyone that the piles were not an issue. But, it took 18 months to get all the reports and paperwork finalized through the federal and local agencies. 18 months. It took 18 months because there wasn't one person involved in the government agencies that had any sense of urgency. No one is willing to make a decision or stick their necks out so you have to spend money and resources on reports, testing, meetings, more reports, more testing, more meetings . . . and finally, when it is 99.99% obvious, then the government will sign off. Awesome.

mikepegg44

Jason P wrote:

I'm working at a Soybean Processing / Biodiesel plant and the EPA is really cracking down. The farm dust issue prevented us from using two large storage piles with a capacity of 2,000,000 bushels during last years harvest. The issue at hand was that each pile has a fan at the top that draws air to prevent moisture from ruining the soybeans.

It was obvious to everyone that the piles were not an issue. But, it took 18 months to get all the reports and paperwork finalized through the federal and local agencies. 18 months. It took 18 months because there wasn't one person involved in the government agencies that had any sense of urgency. No one is willing to make a decision or stick their necks out so you have to spend money and resources on reports, testing, meetings, more reports, more testing, more meetings . . . and finally, when it is 99.99% obvious, then the government will sign off. Awesome.

I think everyone who is for more governmental regulation has never dealt with government agencies. There is so much waste it is unbelievable. Many times they do provide a necessary service but the "i" dotting and "t" crossing necessary to deal with them is horrible

Jason P

mikepegg44 wrote:

Jason P wrote:

I'm working at a Soybean Processing / Biodiesel plant and the EPA is really cracking down. The farm dust issue prevented us from using two large storage piles with a capacity of 2,000,000 bushels during last years harvest. The issue at hand was that each pile has a fan at the top that draws air to prevent moisture from ruining the soybeans.

It was obvious to everyone that the piles were not an issue. But, it took 18 months to get all the reports and paperwork finalized through the federal and local agencies. 18 months. It took 18 months because there wasn't one person involved in the government agencies that had any sense of urgency. No one is willing to make a decision or stick their necks out so you have to spend money and resources on reports, testing, meetings, more reports, more testing, more meetings . . . and finally, when it is 99.99% obvious, then the government will sign off. Awesome.

I think everyone who is for more governmental regulation has never dealt with government agencies. There is so much waste it is unbelievable. Many times they do provide a necessary service but the "i" dotting and "t" crossing necessary to deal with them is horrible

I forgot to mention all the lawyers and consultants that muck things up as well. They like to slow things down because they get more billable hours. As we are reporting to agencies that are not interested in profit or efficiency, it's easy money. Good times!