In The News
Tulsa Mayor Praises Inhofe Stormwater Bill as a “Real Victory for Municipal Governments”
Friday January 21, 2011
Calling it a “real victory for municipal governments,” Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett praised Senator Inhofe’s stromwater legislation recently signed into law that requires federal agencies to pay their fair share of stormwater management fees. Some federal agencies had avoided paying these fees, imposing costly burdens on local communities where agencies operate.
The Tulsa World has the story:
“On another issue, Bartlett praised Congress for approving a bill requiring the federal government to comply with local fees used to treat and manage polluted storm-water runoff and credited the role of Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., for helping to steer that measure to passage. ‘That's a real victory for municipal governments,’ said Bartlett, who serves on a water committee with the Conference of Mayors.
When the bill was becoming law, Inhofe described it as another example of a bipartisan bill dealing with an unfunded federal mandate. ‘It makes perfect sense that, as with other utilities, federal agencies pay their fair share of storm-water management fees,’ said the senator, the top Republican member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. ‘Right now, some federal agencies are not paying these fees, imposing costly burdens on the communities in which the agency operates.'”
Read more about the bill here.
The Tulsa World has the story:
“On another issue, Bartlett praised Congress for approving a bill requiring the federal government to comply with local fees used to treat and manage polluted storm-water runoff and credited the role of Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., for helping to steer that measure to passage. ‘That's a real victory for municipal governments,’ said Bartlett, who serves on a water committee with the Conference of Mayors.
When the bill was becoming law, Inhofe described it as another example of a bipartisan bill dealing with an unfunded federal mandate. ‘It makes perfect sense that, as with other utilities, federal agencies pay their fair share of storm-water management fees,’ said the senator, the top Republican member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. ‘Right now, some federal agencies are not paying these fees, imposing costly burdens on the communities in which the agency operates.'”
Read more about the bill here.
Inside EPA: Inhofe Urges GOP Oversight On EPA's Precedent-Setting Fluoride Proposal
Wednesday January 19, 2011
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) is warning top EPA officials that he intends to conduct oversight -- and will press House Republicans to do the same -- on EPA's precedent-setting proposal to pull longstanding food safety limits for a fluoride pesticide, a move Inhofe and others say could have significant negative economic implications and do little to reduce harmful fluoride exposure.
EPA's recent proposal to revoke all tolerances, or allowable pesticide residues, for the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride in the wake of a new, more conservative risk and exposure assessment for fluoride, marks a "novel use" of food safety laws, one industry source says. The Jan. 10 proposal was preceded by the announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was lowering the level of fluoride -- a mineral long added to drinking water for its purported dental hygiene benefits -- it recommends adding to drinking water. In conjunction, EPA announced it is undertaking a review of its current drinking water protection limit for fluoride.
EPA's recent proposal to revoke all tolerances, or allowable pesticide residues, for the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride in the wake of a new, more conservative risk and exposure assessment for fluoride, marks a "novel use" of food safety laws, one industry source says. The Jan. 10 proposal was preceded by the announcement that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was lowering the level of fluoride -- a mineral long added to drinking water for its purported dental hygiene benefits -- it recommends adding to drinking water. In conjunction, EPA announced it is undertaking a review of its current drinking water protection limit for fluoride.
E&E; News: EPA moves on fluoride draw warning from Inhofe
Thursday January 13, 2011
U.S. EPA's bid to phase out a fluoride-based pesticide is sparking the first stirrings of a political battle, as Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) warned the agency yesterday that its move "could create unintended consequences for public health, food safety, and the economy."
EPA this week proposed a gradual ban on food with traces of sulfuryl fluoride -- a fumigant used on cocoa, grains, nuts and other edibles -- to complement the rollout of new curbs on fluoride in drinking water aimed at protecting children's health.
EPA this week proposed a gradual ban on food with traces of sulfuryl fluoride -- a fumigant used on cocoa, grains, nuts and other edibles -- to complement the rollout of new curbs on fluoride in drinking water aimed at protecting children's health.
The Hill: Senators mount opposition to EPA's decision to allow higher ethanol blends
Friday January 7, 2011
A bipartisan coalition of senators are mounting increased opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to allow some vehicles to fuel up with higher blends of ethanol in their gasoline.
In two consecutive letters to the EPA this week, the senators criticized the EPA's decision to allow 15 percent ethanol blends (E15) in gasoline for model year 2007 and newer vehicles, and asked the agency to analyze the effects of increased ethanol use on the vehicle fleet.
Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Wednesday asking whether the agency's decision to allow E15 blends in some vehicles will affect the availability of pure gasoline.
"Limited supply of pure gasoline in Maine has resulted in the use of ethanol, which has caused damage to small engines and threatens to undermine recreational activities including snowmobiling, boating, and general aviation," Snowe said in a statement Thursday.
The senators requested that EPA conduct an analysis of the effect of the increased use of ethanol on the availability of gasoline.
In a separate letter Thursday, Snow, Inhofe and several other senators - including Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) - laid out their opposition to the EPA's E15 decision and outlined its potential "unintended consequences."
In two consecutive letters to the EPA this week, the senators criticized the EPA's decision to allow 15 percent ethanol blends (E15) in gasoline for model year 2007 and newer vehicles, and asked the agency to analyze the effects of increased ethanol use on the vehicle fleet.
Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Wednesday asking whether the agency's decision to allow E15 blends in some vehicles will affect the availability of pure gasoline.
"Limited supply of pure gasoline in Maine has resulted in the use of ethanol, which has caused damage to small engines and threatens to undermine recreational activities including snowmobiling, boating, and general aviation," Snowe said in a statement Thursday.
The senators requested that EPA conduct an analysis of the effect of the increased use of ethanol on the availability of gasoline.
In a separate letter Thursday, Snow, Inhofe and several other senators - including Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) - laid out their opposition to the EPA's E15 decision and outlined its potential "unintended consequences."
Oklahoman Editorial: GOP will need to save some ammo to fight proposed EPA rules
Friday January 7, 2011
Somewhat lost in congressional Republicans' plan to head off Obamacare at the pass is the Environmental Protection Agency's move to tackle greenhouse gas emissions through rule-making. Essentially, the Obama administration is trying to accomplish via regulation what it couldn't legislate in Congress.
Right before Christmas - when most of Washington no doubt was occupied with visions of sugar plums - EPA announced that by July it would issue new standards for greenhouse gases emitted by power plants, with a final rule expected by May 2012. A draft for refineries is due in December, to be finalized by November 2012.
Right before Christmas - when most of Washington no doubt was occupied with visions of sugar plums - EPA announced that by July it would issue new standards for greenhouse gases emitted by power plants, with a final rule expected by May 2012. A draft for refineries is due in December, to be finalized by November 2012.
E&E; News: Inhofe, Snowe question EPA on access to non-ethanol fuel
Thursday January 6, 2011
Two rural-state senators yesterday questioned U.S. EPA over the long-term availability of conventional gasoline for use in engines not designed to handle ethanol blends, expressing concern that retailers in some areas are simply not offering ethanol-free fuel.
In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Environment and Public Works ranking member James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) asked the agency to analyze the current and future availability of non-ethanol gasoline in the United States.
"Thousands of engines operating in snowmobiles, chainsaws, lawnmowers, boats and airplanes were manufactured to utilize pure gasoline and have encountered major technical problems when using E10 [10 percent ethanol], let alone E15 [15 percent ethanol] as a fuel source," they wrote.
In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Environment and Public Works ranking member James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) asked the agency to analyze the current and future availability of non-ethanol gasoline in the United States.
"Thousands of engines operating in snowmobiles, chainsaws, lawnmowers, boats and airplanes were manufactured to utilize pure gasoline and have encountered major technical problems when using E10 [10 percent ethanol], let alone E15 [15 percent ethanol] as a fuel source," they wrote.
Daily Caller Op-Ed: 2010 Award for Political Incorrectness: Global warming lands into the deep freeze
Wednesday December 29, 2010
During the waning days of December I often find myself desperate for comic relief from the hum-drum routines of life. In recent days I happened upon these mirthful headlines:
– “New Zealand Climate Scientists Admit To Faking Temperatures: The Actual Temps Show Little Warming Over Last 50 Years”
– “What Happened to the ‘Warmest Year on Record’: The Truth is Global Warming has Halted”
But the best headline of all festooned an article that ran in Tuesday’s Time magazine: “The Northeast Blizzard: One More Sign of Global Warming.” (I’m not making this stuff up!)
These headlines came as cold comfort to millions of teeth-chattering Americans, as December temperatures have fallen to near-record cold levels from Minneapolis to Miami.
Notwithstanding the hilarious musings of the Time editors, the fanciful claims surrounding global warming have turned out to be a colossal deception, an artful hoax, and an intellectual fraud.
– “New Zealand Climate Scientists Admit To Faking Temperatures: The Actual Temps Show Little Warming Over Last 50 Years”
– “What Happened to the ‘Warmest Year on Record’: The Truth is Global Warming has Halted”
But the best headline of all festooned an article that ran in Tuesday’s Time magazine: “The Northeast Blizzard: One More Sign of Global Warming.” (I’m not making this stuff up!)
These headlines came as cold comfort to millions of teeth-chattering Americans, as December temperatures have fallen to near-record cold levels from Minneapolis to Miami.
Notwithstanding the hilarious musings of the Time editors, the fanciful claims surrounding global warming have turned out to be a colossal deception, an artful hoax, and an intellectual fraud.
Journal Record: EPA to set pace for greenhouse gas standards
Thursday December 23, 2010
TULSA - U.S. Rep. John Sullivan and U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe decried the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's move to issue a plan to establish greenhouse gas pollution standards.
The EPA on Thursday said it was moving forward on greenhouse gas, or GHG, standards for coal fuel power plants and petroleum refineries - two of the largest industrial sources - representing nearly 40 percent of the GHG pollution in the U.S.
The EPA will propose standards for power plants in July 2011 and for refineries in December 2011. The agency will issue final standards in May 2012 and November 2012, respectively, said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, during a press conference.
"We are focusing where we can make the most significant reductions in a cost-effective way," McCarthy said.
The EPA on Thursday said it was moving forward on greenhouse gas, or GHG, standards for coal fuel power plants and petroleum refineries - two of the largest industrial sources - representing nearly 40 percent of the GHG pollution in the U.S.
The EPA will propose standards for power plants in July 2011 and for refineries in December 2011. The agency will issue final standards in May 2012 and November 2012, respectively, said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, during a press conference.
"We are focusing where we can make the most significant reductions in a cost-effective way," McCarthy said.
Politico: Massive Public Lands Omnibus Bill "Abandoned" By Reid
Inhofe Had Demanded More Time to Review the Bill
Tuesday December 21, 2010
WELL, THAT WAS SHORT-LIVED – After rolling out a public lands, water and wildlife omnibus Friday afternoon, Harry Reid yesterday abandoned his effort to pass the massive package this year. He will instead work with committee leaders to see which provisions could still advance this session if bundled into smaller packages, a spokeswoman said yesterday.
Reid pitched his omnibus – a bundle of 70-plus measures that would expand conservation measures on federal lands and waterways – as a non-controversial batch of bipartisan bills. But Jim Inhofe and other Senate Republicans demanded the package get more time for review, and House Natural Resources Chairman-elect Doc Hastings vowed to battle the bill in the House.
Reid pitched his omnibus – a bundle of 70-plus measures that would expand conservation measures on federal lands and waterways – as a non-controversial batch of bipartisan bills. But Jim Inhofe and other Senate Republicans demanded the package get more time for review, and House Natural Resources Chairman-elect Doc Hastings vowed to battle the bill in the House.
TulsaWorld: Tar Creek buyout costs less than expected
Monday December 20, 2010
A federal buyout of homes and businesses in the Tar Creek Superfund site is nearly complete and is expected to cost about $10 million less than original estimates.
More than four years after the voluntary buyout was announced, the Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust has approved a demolition contract for structures in Picher and Cardin, two towns at the center of the Tar Creek Superfund site in Ottawa County.
The six-month demolition is expected to begin in mid-January and cost about $1.7 million, trust Chairman Mark Osborn said.
An audit released by the trust this month shows the buyout costing about $46 million. Projections placed the buyout at about $55 million to $60 million.
More than four years after the voluntary buyout was announced, the Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust has approved a demolition contract for structures in Picher and Cardin, two towns at the center of the Tar Creek Superfund site in Ottawa County.
The six-month demolition is expected to begin in mid-January and cost about $1.7 million, trust Chairman Mark Osborn said.
An audit released by the trust this month shows the buyout costing about $46 million. Projections placed the buyout at about $55 million to $60 million.
