This week has been National Pollinator Week, as designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior. And stakeholders in the cotton industry, along with beekeepers and researchers from several state universities, met with representatives from the EPA and USDA to start the conversation on how to develop and adopt more appropriate steps for assessing …
EPA Working to Rescind Waters of U.S. Rule, Then Replace It
An EPA official says EPA will first work to rescind the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule and then gather information for a replacement for that rule. Gary Crawford has the details. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Farm Bureau Asks Senate Committee to Advance EPA Nominee Susan Bodine
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall has asked the leadership of a Senate committee to approve the nomination of Susan Bodine to Assistant Administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance of the Environmental Protection Agency. Duvall’s letter to Chairman John Barrasso and Ranking Member Tom Carper of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works praised …
EPA Is The Top Target for Budget Cuts
Candidate Donald Trump vowed to get rid of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in virtually every way, leaving only tidbits of what it once was. A Washington Post article says his budget proposal aims to follow through on that campaign promise. The proposed budget from the White House hits the EPA with a 31 percent budget cut, down to $5.65 …
Stabenow Expresses Concerns with EPA Scientist Dismissals
The ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee has expressed concerns over the dismissal of scientists by the Environmental Protection Agency. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow specifically voiced her concerns over EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s move to dismiss nine members of the Board of Scientific Counselors, a major scientific review board within the agency. The board reviews the research carried out …
EPA Launches WOTUS Review Web Page
The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a web page to keep stakeholders up to date on the review process and potential changes to the agencies Waters of the U.S. rule. The web page, according to the EPA, will keep the public informed as the EPA reviews the definition of a “Waters of the U.S.” In February, President Donald Trump issued …
Livestock Industry Calls for Relief from EPA’s Overly Burdensome Regulations
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council filed comments this week to the EPA calling for immediate action on several burdensome regulations the agency put forward under previous Administrations. The groups said that the regulations, “inhibit job creation, are ineffective, are unnecessary, or impose costs that exceed the environmental benefits. Often, these regulations impose federal requirements on …
EPA Launches New ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Website
New site aims to provide transparency and information about EPA review of ‘WOTUS’ EPA is launching a new website (www.epa.gov/wotus-rule) to provide the public with information about EPA’s review of the definition of “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) as set out in the 2015 “Clean Water Rule.” The site replaces the website developed for the 2015 rulemaking process. “EPA is …
Methane Vote Agreement Offers path for E15 Bill
An agreement between Senators regarding a vote to reject the Obama-era methane rule has paved a path forward for year-round E15 sales. The agreement between Senators Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican, and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican, means the E15 bill will head to the committee for markup within the next week or …
EPA Send RFS Volume Obligations to OMB
The Environmental Protection Agency has sent Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The White House is expected to complete its review of the proposed rule within the next 90 days for the 2018 RVO’s and the Biomass Based Diesel Volume for 2019, according to DTN-Progressive Farmer. The deadline for the final rule …