More Climate Change Silliness
European scientists from Chalmers University of Technology Sweden suggest consumers should stop eating so much beef and dairy and limit climate change. The new study concludes eating beef and dairy products create too much methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which is blamed for global warming. SCIENCEDIRECT published the study in February, claiming if consumers in Sweden […]
“Victory” Over EPA – Not So Fast
EPA won a legal decision in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, which has been advertised as a victory for U.S. Farmers and Ranchers trying to protect private, personal, and financial records regarding their Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. I have some qualms about the case after reading the court decision. Five non-profit organizations, including Iowa Citizens […]
Inside EPA’s Waters of the U.S. Ruling – Part 4
The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States. Pollutants can come from direct discharges or from dredging and filling material being dumped into waters of the United States. EPA and the Corps of Engineers’ apparently believe that “navigable waters” cover virtually any area where water flows or is […]
Inside EPA’s Waters of the U.S. Ruling – Part 3
A review of EPA’s “Significant Nexus” conclusions demonstrates that the final Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule disproves EPA’s assertion that “…WOTUS doesn’t touch land use or private property rights.” A review of “significant nexus” conclusions demonstrates how far EPA is attempting to extend its jurisdiction. EPA claims the Corps of Engineers (Corps) have made more […]
Inside EPA’s Waters of the US Ruling: Part II
The attacks keep coming. The Iowa Farm Bureau, in its press release on EPA’s new WOTUS rule, says, “This rule and the definitions laid out in this rule suggest expansion, not contraction or clarity.” The Illinois Farm Bureau president claims EPA’s new Clean Water Act Rule “…will create a flood of unnecessary enforcement actions…” The National Cattlemen’s Beef […]
The Rest of Story on Nitrates
In the last issue of Jefferson Policy Journal (May 14, 2015) I referenced a 2011 World Health Organization (WHO) paper titled Nitrate and Nitrite in Drinking Water. The paper has interesting conclusions regarding nitrates, conclusions which disagree with EPA. Let’s compare what WHO claims as fact, to what EPA and others say are facts about nitrates. You be the judge. […]
Nitrate Facts for Farmers to Know
(Editor’s note: This battle in Iowa could come to Virginia which is why we are publishing it in this issue of the Jefferson Policy Journal.) Farmers, start arming your selves with the facts regarding nitrates. Right now agriculture is losing the battle on the issue of the impact of nitrates and their impact on the […]
Iowa Lawsuit Threatens Virginia Farmers
(Editor’s Note: Virginia’s farmers could well be impacted by this law suit.) Des Moines, Iowa Water Works has filed a federal lawsuit against three Iowa counties, several drainage districts and Iowa’s farmers. DMWW claims the drainage districts are point sources under the Clean Water Act. DMWW seems to forget about the CWA’s “agriculture storm water runoff exemption” and two […]
Judge’s Egg Ruling Impacts Virginia
(Editor’s Note: Virginia has a large poultry industry and this article shows the impact of a judge’s ruling in California on that industry here in the Commonwealth.) A U.S. District Court judge in California on October 2, 2014, told six Attorneys General they did not have a case when they challenged a California law which […]
EPA’s Myths and Misinformation
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy spoke to the Agricultural Business Council on July 10 in Kansas City. One news report claims she said to forget about the myths and misinformation about EPA’s proposed interpretative rule for the Clean Water Act. I suggest you read Ms. McCarthy’s remarks. It is sad to see an Administrator give an […]