By Scout Nelson
At a recent House Subcommittee on Environment hearing, Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce burdensome regulations that affect her state’s energy and agriculture sectors.
During the session, she directly addressed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, asking for support on key regulatory issues. These include the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule, and the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.
These federal policies often impact coal production, energy operations, and farming practices in North Dakota.
Fedorchak says these rules place heavy costs on industries that support rural jobs and energy supply in her state.
She asks Administrator Zeldin to consider the needs of producers and farmers while reviewing or applying environmental laws. She believes cutting back on unnecessary restrictions can help businesses grow and continue supporting local communities.
Fedorchak also invites Zeldin to visit North Dakota to meet directly with energy and agriculture producers. She believes it is important for federal leaders to understand the impact of environmental rules by seeing how they affect people on the ground.
This hearing highlights the ongoing national debate over balancing environmental protection with economic needs. Leaders like Fedorchak want federal agencies to support both clean air and water and the strength of local industries.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jessicahyde
Categories: North Dakota, General, Government & Policy, Sustainable Agriculture