Rooney: EPA Agreement to Study Cost of Numeric Nutrient Mandate a Good Start
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) today said that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) agreement to complete a study of the economic impact of the agency’s proposed mandate to regulate numeric nutrients in Florida's rivers, lakes and streams is a good first step toward bringing all sides to the table and reach an agreement.
"While we still await an answer to our request of the EPA to conduct an independent review of the science behind the rule, we are grateful to Administrator Lisa Jackson for her agreement to review the overall cost to the state of Florida,” Rooney said. “In these difficult economic times, when unemployment is still above 10 percent in our state, we have to weigh the costs of any new mandate very carefully. The decision by the EPA to review the costs with an independent audit is a good first step.
“I hope that by offering my amendment to H.R. 1, even though it is not part of the budget deal last week, we helped advance this process to the point where we can bring all parties to the table and come up with a solution everyone can support. Florida's Department of Environmental Protection, the Chamber of Commerce, the League of Cities, and the Farm Bureau, along with the EPA, all deserve to be part of this process.
“I believe the end product will be better, not only because of my amendment and a companion amendment offered by Senator Rubio, but also because of Senator Nelson’s efforts and the support of 21 of 25 members of the Florida Congressional delegation, both Republicans and Democrats.”
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