Washington, Nov 1 - In a letter to Administrator Lisa Jackson today, Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and produce delinquent semiannual reports. The EPA is currently in non-comliance with the law since it failed to produce a semiannual regulatory agenda for fall 2012 and is now more than 184 days delinquent in fulfilling its obligation to publish a spring agenda.

In her letter, Congressman Blackburn wrote (click here for a copy):

"As the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy clearly states, the “RFA requires agencies to examine public policy issues using an analytical process that identifies, among other things, barriers to small business competitiveness and seeks a level playing field for small entities, not an unfair advantage.” Until the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the required semiannual regulatory agendas your agency will remain a barrier to small business competitiveness and will be stunting our nation’s economic recovery by allowing investment capital to remain on the sidelines due to regulatory uncertainty.

"Throughout my career in public service I have often found that education and transparency are the most effective tools the federal government can use to help provide small businesses and industry with regulatory certainty.  I ask that your agency comply with the RFA and produce the delinquent semiannual reports so that industry can properly prepare for the economic impact of potential burdensome regulatory action. Please note that I am copying Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration on this letter and expect a complete review into your agency’s lack of compliance with the RFA."