President Obama didn't have too much to say about rural America in last night's State of the Union address, but he did attempt a farm joke while trying to debunk the notion that he over-regulates. "We got rid of one rule from 40 years ago that could have forced some dairy farmers to spend $10,000 a year proving that they could contain a spill, because milk was somehow classified as an oil. With a rule like that, I guess it was worth crying over spilled milk." The quip received much attention, with most thinking it was only "2 percent funny." It may also need some clarification.
The Environmental Protection Agency monitors oil storage under section 311 of the Clean Water Act. Facilities that store oil have to prepare Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plans for EPA review. Under the 1973 SPCC rule, edible oils, including vegetable and animal fats, could have been considered oils that required regulation. Because of milk's butterfat content, it was included in the SPCC rule, and the milk industry saw a potential threat. EPA announced in February 2009 it would remove milk and dairy farms from the spill rules. The change took effect in April 2011. Obama's statement was true, says PolitiFact.com, in which the Tampa Bay Times checks politicians' speeches and advertising for accuracy, but added, "We’re not addressing Obama’s projection of costs of $10,000 to some farmers." (Read more)
The Environmental Protection Agency monitors oil storage under section 311 of the Clean Water Act. Facilities that store oil have to prepare Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure plans for EPA review. Under the 1973 SPCC rule, edible oils, including vegetable and animal fats, could have been considered oils that required regulation. Because of milk's butterfat content, it was included in the SPCC rule, and the milk industry saw a potential threat. EPA announced in February 2009 it would remove milk and dairy farms from the spill rules. The change took effect in April 2011. Obama's statement was true, says PolitiFact.com, in which the Tampa Bay Times checks politicians' speeches and advertising for accuracy, but added, "We’re not addressing Obama’s projection of costs of $10,000 to some farmers." (Read more)
No comments:
Post a Comment