A New Era of Communication

Statement

In my many years of service, it is not often I have been able to bring someone like EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to town, sit her down at a table, and let area residents express concerns, ask questions, and get answers. I was pleased to be able to do so recently. We began the day meeting with farmers and others with agricultural interests, from Saline, Ray, and Lafayette Counties, to open a dialogue that, in my opinion, is sorely needed.

Many producers joining us told us they are worried about overburdening regulations. And there were several questions regarding fuel containment, run off, and dust. Administrator McCarthy was able to discuss exact numbers of the fuel containment question, and encourage conversation about economics, stewardship of land, and challenges brought about by weather events.

Several area farmers told me the perception they left with was that Administrator McCarthy wants to work with the agricultural community. My hope in putting this meeting and these visits together is to begin to put an end to the days of distrust and finger pointing. The EPA Administrator told the group that she wants to be active in meeting, talking, and interacting with the community so she can better understand specific issues and both groups can begin working together.

We also visited St. Marks Church, where the Administrator talked about an environmental justice grant recently awarded to the Black Health Care Coalition, and the importance of their work. From there, she wanted to get a first-hand look at Kansas City's Green Impact Zone (GIZ). GIZ is a place where so many tremendous strides are being made to make this area truly energy efficient, improved, and revitalized.

I am so proud of Missouri's Fifth District. This effort is truly on the forefront of this new and very positive working relationship with the EPA. I know there is a long way to go. I know there are still many conflicts, disagreements, and challenges ahead of us. But we have much to gain if we can make the exchange of ideas here work. And we stand to become a model of civility, open communication, and progress for the rest of the country.

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