In Missouri, lawmakers are poised to eliminate local regulation of CAFOs
Communities in Missouri have been fighting the expansion of large-scale livestock operations in the state for years. But a controversial pair of bills moving through the state legislature would make community oversight of those farms even harder. The bills would eliminate local ordinances that regulate industrial animal farms in the state, or make it impossible to enforce those ordinances. The bills mirror trends in other states where legislators have moved to undermine local control of large-scale livestock farms.(No paywall)
Pruitt resigns at EPA, a deregulator brought down by scandal
President Trump announced the resignation of scandal-plagued Scott Pruitt as EPA administrator on Thursday but said that the agency’s No. 2 official, Andrew Wheeler, “will continue with our great and lasting EPA agenda.”
Wisconsin Republicans push for wetlands deregulation
In Wisconsin, legislation is moving through the statehouse that would roll back the state’s wetlands development regulations, according to The Cap Times. The bill was proposed by Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke and in its original form proposed opening up one million acres of wetlands to development.
USDA invites ideas from the public on regulatory reform
Carrying out an executive order from the White House, the USDA is inviting public comment over the next year on “regulations, guidance documents, or any other policy documents that are in need of reform, for example ideas to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal those items.” In a Federal …
Disease, drought, government. Pick the existential threat to farmers.
For the second time in a week, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told lawmakers that government is a greater threat to U.S. farmers than drought or disease. And in nearly the same words at two House hearings, he offered the might of the U.S. government to boost farm income through larger food and ag exports.
Four states take Interior, BLM to court over coal
California, New Mexico, New York and Washington State have sued the Interior Department and the Bureau of Land Management in an attempt to stop new coal leases on public lands.
EPA and Interior overhaul scientific advisory boards to favor industry
In a move meant to stem government regulation, the EPA is cutting academic scientists from its scientific review board and replacing them with industry representatives, while the Interior Department prepares for a review of the scientists on its own advisory council.
Groceries and convenience stores ask FDA for delay in menu-labeling rule
Trade groups for grocers and convenience store operators made a list-minute request to the FDA to delay the menu-labeling requirement due to take effect on May 5.
EPA staffers prepare to fight for their jobs under Trump
Worried that Trump administration cuts to the EPA will mean slashing thousands of jobs, EPA employees are organizing to defend their work, says NPR. At one union hall in Washington, D.C., dozens of EPA staffers filed in to discuss the issue. NPR spoke with Marie Owens Powell, an EPA enforcement officer and local union leader.
Trump signs repeal of BLM planning rule, says more regulation-busting on the way
As he signed legislation to repeal it, President Trump called an Interior Department land-management rule a federal power grab and, hinting at action planned for today on power plant emissions, said he would "eliminate every unnecessary, harmful, and job-killing regulation that we can find." The Interior Department rule covered 245 million acres of land under control of the Bureau of Land Management.
EPA begins work immediately to replace WOTUS
As promised by EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, the administration immediately began work to replace the Waters of the United States rule that was a target of President Trump's campaign. On the same day that Trump signed an executive order to roll back WOTUS, Pruitt signed a Federal Register notice of "intention to review and rescind or revise" WOTUS.