Friday, May 06, 2011

EPA boss plans more trips to farm country

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator "Lisa Jackson is looking for some friends down on the farm," Robin Bravender reports for Politico. "Farm-state voters have seemingly lost patience with Democrats in Washington," in large measure because of EPA's "air and water regulations, which they claim will put farms out of business." So, Jackson and other Obama administration officials are going down on the farm to fight what she calls "myths."

"Jackson traveled to Iowa last month and California farm country in March, and EPA says additional trips are in the works," Bravender writes. "She has also been trying to improve EPA’s image through appearances on local radio stations and with op-eds in farm states." We first reported on Jackson's trips here, and on EPA's more recent Clean Water Act policy guidance here. (Associated Press photo: Jackson in Iowa)

"The attacks from farmers have been amplified amid Republicans’ constant criticism," Bravender reports. "House Republicans on the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees plan to continue their assault Tuesday with a joint hearing titled 'At Risk: American Jobs, Agriculture, Health and Species — the Costs of Federal Regulatory Dysfunction.' Jackson isn’t scheduled to testify." (Read more)

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