Rooney: Proposed EPA Numeric Nutrient Rule "Devastating" for Florida Economy
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) today released the following statement on a report showing that compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed numeric nutrient rule for Florida would cost the state approximately $1 billion annually, with more than $1 billion per year in additional indirect economic costs.
“This report confirms what we have all feared. The economic ramifications of this proposed rule would be devastating to our state. Florida’s economy continues to suffer with a record high 12.3 percent unemployment rate, a weak housing market and a struggling agriculture industry. Now is not the time to punish Florida’s small businesses, workers and farmers with increased costs while they struggle to survive.”
The report was prepared by the Florida Depart of Agriculture and Consumer Services, professors at the University of Florida Food and Resource Economics Department, and Soil and Water Engineering Technology, Inc. The report concludes that 13.6 million acres of agriculture will experience direct costs totaling between $902 million and $1.605 billion annually, with additional indirect economic impacts to Florida of $1.148 billion per year.
The full report is available here: