WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today invited Environmental Protection Agency Stephen Johnson to Iowa so he could understand how the EPA expects farmers to contain dust on their farms.
Grassley’s invitation comes on the heels of a final rule issued by the EPA related to coarse particulate matter which could have a devastating affect on agriculture. The rule could regulate all aspects of what is more commonly referred to as dust.
Earlier today, Grassley called on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to hold a hearing on the matter as well as asked the Economic Research Service at the Department of Agriculture to study the economic impacts this rule could have on agriculture.
Here is a copy of Grassley’s letter.
September 26, 2006
The Honorable Stephen L. Johnson
Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460-0001
Dear Administrator Johnson:
I am asking that you visit my family farm this fall while I am harvesting my crop with our combine. This will give you the opportunity to see what America’s farmers are confronted with when harvesting. This visit will allow you to show me first hand how a farmer is to contain dust on their farm while combining.
Iowa farmers should not have to worry about whether or not they have legal protection because of dust from their normal course of operations.
Please respond within 24 hours of receipt of this letter so that I can make the necessary scheduling arrangements.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley
United States Senator