Rooney Asks for Third Party EPA Review
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) joined fellow Florida delegation members in a meeting today with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson regarding the EPA’s proposed Numeric Nutrient rules for Florida. Rooney was encouraged to learn that the agency intends to extend the public comment period by an additional 30 days and will hold three more public meetings in Florida. Rooney also expressed concern that Administrator Jackson had not yet met personally with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole.
“While there was progress in some areas the EPA proposal will have massive repercussions throughout our state. Therefore, this is something we cannot rush head-first into without knowing all the facts and science. It is with this in mind that I am asking the EPA to commission a third party review of the science used in establishing their proposed numbers. These rules will affect all Floridians, it is absolutely essential that there are no questions about the science being used or the process being followed.”
There has been great concern about the reliability and legitimacy of the science used by the EPA in setting the proposed numeric numbers. At this morning’s meeting Rooney asked the EPA to help settle this dispute by having a third party study and review the science the agency used.