EVENT: Senator Chuck Grassley and EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson visit Iowa farm
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, October 18
9:45 – 11 a.m., combine soybeans, meet with agriculture stakeholders, media availability
LOCATION: 2223 4th Street
Perry, Iowa 50220
DESCRIPTION: Following the issuance of a final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency related to coarse particulate matter which could regulate all aspects of what is more commonly referred to as dust, Grassley invited EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson to Iowa so he could understand how impossible it is for the Agency to expect farmers to contain dust within their farms.
Grassley has been concerned that the final rule does not exempt agriculture. This means that in the future, there is nothing protecting a farmer in court if he or she is sued.
Grassley said his concern stems from the fact that 25 years ago, EPA officials told him not to worry when the superfund legislation was enacted. He has since seen agriculture operations sued under that same law.
Grassley has also asked the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to hold a hearing on the revised final EPA rule on particulate matter. And, he has also asked the Economic Research Service at the Department of Agriculture to study the economic impact this rule could have on agriculture.