Many in agriculture are ready to defend the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced their intent to repeal and rewrite it. This includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). During a call with farm broadcasters last week, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh said there is a lot to discuss with the Water of the U.S. …
EPA’s Intention to Revise WOTUS Disappoints Farm Bureau
It’s ‘Groundhog Day’ all over again for the controversial Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, as Biden’s EPA Chief Michael Regan moves to dump the Trump rule that eased the sweeping Obama wetlands restrictions. He recently told the Senate Environment Committee the Obama WOTUS rule and the Trump replacement both need fixing. But American Farm Bureau’s Don Parrish fears …
EPA Announces Intent to Revise WOTUS Definition
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week their plans to repeal and rewrite the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). They are looking to repeal the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which replaced the Obama-era WOTUS rule. A review of the rule, requested by President Joe Biden, claims stakeholders are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies. …
Petition Asks EPA to Regulate Large Livestock Farms
Two dozen environmental and consumer groups are asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate large dairy and hog farms under federal air pollution laws. Groups like the Sierra Club and the Government Accountability Project say in their petition that “The EPA has the duty and authority to regulate these methane super-emitters under the Clean Air Act as part of …
Oil Refining Trade Group Asking for Help with Rising Costs
(NAFB) — The price of renewable fuel credits in the U.S. hit new multi-year highs this week, and that has an oil refining trade group asking the White House for help in stabilizing the industry. Prices for the Renewable Identification Numbers have climbed all year as the costs of feedstocks like soybean oil continue to climb higher. Reuters says the …
New EPA Administrator Michael Regan Confirmed by Senate
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is officially under new leadership. Michael Regan has been confirmed by the Senate as the 15th EPA Administrator through a vote of 66-34. Regan received significant support from the agricultural industry throughout the confirmation process. Ag groups had expressed enthusiasm for working with Regan in finding practical solutions to environmental issues. “Regan’s experience and informed …
Biden Names Acting Federal Agency Leaders
(NAFB) — President Joe Biden designated acting leaders to federal agencies to oversee the government until his political appointments are confirmed upon taking office. Biden assigned Kevin Shea as the acting Agriculture Secretary. Shea will assume the duties until the Senate confirms Biden’s pick, Tom Vilsack, for the top post at USDA. Shea has been the administrator of USDA’s Animal …
EPA Nominee Meets with Farm Groups
(NAFB) — President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency met with farm group leaders Tuesday. Michael Regan, the EPA Administrator-designate, hosted a virtual round table with more than 16 members of the Ag CEO Council and staff. The Biden transition team says Regan reiterated President-elect Joe Biden’s commitment to working with agricultural leaders to promote healthy and …
Ag Groups Applaud Regan Nomination to Head EPA
(NPPC) — President-Elect Joe Biden on Thursday nominated Michael Regan as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Regan most recently led the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The following statement may be attributed to National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Howard “AV” Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. “NPPC congratulates Michael Regan on his nomination. …
Trump Administration Sets Pace for Food Loss and Waste Reduction Efforts to Continue
USDA, EPA, and FDA renew formal agreement aimed at reducing food waste (USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the renewal of the joint agency formal agreement (PDF, 724 KB) including the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative. The agreement reaffirms the agencies’ commitment to improve coordination and …