Newsletter: Straight Talk with Sam - EPA Excesses

Statement

Dear Friends,

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) track record of aggressively creating new red tape for small businesses stands out even in this costly era of mounting government regulations. A few years ago, the EPA proposed to regulate the dust raised by farm activity. The agency scrapped those plans after the predictable outcry. This spring, the Committee alerted small businesses to another overreach: the "Waters of the United States" proposed rule. This proposal -- now delayed for more comments -- would expand the EPA's authority over "navigable waters" to almost any wet area, such as temporary streams during heavy rains.

This week, as reported here, industry groups and associations that represent many of America's 28 million small businesses once again are speaking out because of an EPA regulation, this time raising concerns that new EPA regulations on coal will cost jobs and drive up electricity costs. Major regulations, like these, can result in bureaucrats re-shaping laws beyond the intent of the Congress. Quite simply, the EPA is exceeding its authority and infringing on people's rights.

Next week, EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe will testify at the Committee's hearing titled, "EPA Overreach: Is EPA Meeting Its Small Business Obligations?" Be sure to watch it from your computer here.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves
Chairman

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