Cattlemen Encouraged by FUELS Act
HR311, the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship (FUELS) Act, passed the House of Representatives last week. With the EPA's history of creating burdensome and overreaching regulations, this legislation makes an effort to prevent the agency from once again targeting independent producers. Specifically it addresses regulations regarding fuel storage tanks on farms with no history of spills. Kansas Representatives Tim Huelskamp and Mike Pompeo co-sponsored the FUELS Act.
"The EPA has continuously created bias regulations that hinder production agriculture. The EPA has given itself power when no authority to do so exists. It has circulated misleading information and has manipulated the public to advance its own agendas. Moreover, the EPA continues to create regulations and enforce policies that are non-science based. KCA has been monitoring the EPA and forming coalitions and communicating with legislators tostop the agency from its radical positions and its targeting of Kansas producers. Encouraged by the House passage of HR 311, KCA recognizes Representatives Huelskamp and Pompeo for their leadership role in this legislation. We hope this legislation is just the first step of many in protecting the interests of Kansas producers," stated KCA CEO Brandy Carter.
"The EPA continues to overstep its boundaries when it comes to farmers and ranchers in America and Kansans are tired of it. The latest Washington regulatory scheme to regulate fuel storage tanks on small farms is not only impractical but also unnecessary. What's worse, many states do not even have a single inspector who can certify that farmers are meeting the new requirements - making it nearly impossible to comply. Why is it that this Administration wants to control and oversee every aspect of our lives," asked Representative Huelskamp.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. KCA has contacted Kansas Senators, Roberts and Moran, for their support. As KCA staff continues to monitor and promote this legislation, the organization will keep you up-to-date on its progress.