By Garrett Hawkins
My soon to be two-year-old daughter loves story time, and Sandra Boynton’s Barnyard Dance ranks at the top of our “most read” list. Admittedly, I enjoy reciting it (yes, I pretty much have it memorized) as much as she enjoys listening to me and looking at the pictures. “Stomp your feet. Clap your hands. Everybody ready for a barnyard dance” the book begins as farm animals pick their partners, promenade and square dance around a barn lot.
The clapping, hand stomping, promenading and dosidoing in the book are akin to the debate in Washington, D.C., concerning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some members of Congress applaud the agency and are willing to let EPA call the moves when it comes to regulating agriculture and industry. Other lawmakers, especially those from farm states, stomp their feet and throw their hands in the air in frustration at the barrage of regulations, particularly those aimed at farmers and ranchers.
Just a few weeks ago both chambers of Congress debated EPA’s regulations for utilities, refineries, manufacturers and other emitters of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. The House of Representatives approved a bill, “The Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011,” to prohibit EPA from regulating these gases from stationary sources for the purpose of curbing global warming or climate change. The same legislation was considered in the Senate, although in the form of an amendment to a small business bill.
When some lawmakers got wind Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was offering an amendment to stop EPA from moving ahead with its onerous regulations, they scrambled to find a dance partner with different moves. Seven senators supported an amendment to exempt farms and ranches from regulation, side-stepping the issue of higher energy and input costs that will result from forcing utilities and refineries to comply with new greenhouse gas permitting requirements. Twelve senators, including Senator Claire McCaskill, voted to simply delay EPA regulation for two years.
The McConnell amendment, which was backed by Farm Bureau, had the support of Senator Blunt and 49 other senators, but fell 10 votes shy of the 60 needed for passage. Therefore states are continuing with amending their regulations to comply with EPA’s new rules. The Missouri Air Conservation Commission, for example, must soon decide whether Missouri will comply, or allow EPA to issue permits to regulated entities in the state.
The debate or dance is certain to continue on this issue; however the longer Congress takes to rein in EPA, the more difficult it will be to undo what has been done. We can only hope the story has a happy ending for farmers and ranchers and the consumers who depend on them for their food.
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(Garrett Hawkins, of Jefferson City, Mo., is the director of national legislative programs for Missouri Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization.)
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