Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep Walberg voted in favor of H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011.  The legislation would block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating particulate matter, also known as dust, in rural areas where state dust laws are already in effect.  More specifically, the legislation would limit the EPA’s power to situations where dust hurts people’s health,local governments are not monitoring it, and where the benefits of regulations clearly outweigh the costs. H.R. 1633 also recognizes that state and local governments are better equipped to handle these situations to protect jobs and the public health.

“Dust occurs naturally in rural areas and it’s shocking that farmers have to pay fines for something they have little to no control over. H.R. 1633 would give farmers peace of mind about what kind of regulations and costs they can expect. Unless common-sense is applied, these Washington bureaucrats’rules will further hurt farmers’ ability to produce and sell food, which could result in job losses and increased food prices,” added Congressman Walberg after the vote.

H.R. 1633 passed by a 268 to 150 vote.