Source: PRESS RELEASE, 12/8/11

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW HOW THE ENTIRE N.C. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VOTED

McIntyre Votes For and House Passes Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act
Congressman Mike McIntyre announced today that he voted for and the U.S. House passed legislation that would protect North Carolina farmers from potential new federal dust regulations. McIntyre was a co-sponsor of the bill.

         Congressman McIntyre stated, “Unnecessary regulations are hampering economic growth, stifling innovation, and costing money.  This bill is a positive step forward for our farmers who do not need to be consumed with dust kick up on a farm!  That happens every day, and we need our farmers in the field contributing to the food and fiber supply of our nation and world.  This is common sense legislation, and it is good for our agriculture community.”

H.R. 1633 would prohibit the EPA from issuing any new standard for coarse particulate matter for at least one year from the date of enactment of the legislation.  H.R. 1633 would also limit federal regulation of nuisance dust by the EPA to areas in which it is not regulated under state, tribal, or local law, where the nuisance dust causes substantial adverse effects, and the benefits of federal regulation outweigh the costs.   Nuisance dust is defined to mean particulate matter that is generated primarily from natural sources, unpaved roads, agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities typically conducted in rural areas, consists primarily of soil and/or other natural or biological materials, and meets other specific criteria.  

Congressman McIntyre is a senior member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

Jones Votes to Block EPA’S Attempt to Regulate “Farm Dust”

Today the House passed H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011.  Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) cosponsored the bill and voted in favor of it.  H.R. 1633 would block the Obama Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempt to impose burdensome new regulations on rural America.  Today’s action is part of an ongoing effort by House Republicans to rein in the Obama Administration’s attempts to impose a slew of costly new federal regulations that will stifle job creation in America.  The bill passed by a vote of 268 to 150, and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.      

“EPA’s attempts to slap even more regulations on “farm dust” are a perfect example of why people are just fed up with Washington,” said Congressman Jones.  “This is ridiculous, particularly during these economic times, and I’m proud to stand up for Eastern North Carolina and say enough is enough.”

G.K. Butterfield (D, NC-1)-no
Howard Coble (R, NC-6)- not voting
Renee Ellmers (R, NC-2) yes
Virginia Foxx (R, NC -5)-yes
Walter B. Jones (R, NC-3)-yes
Larry Kissell (D, NC-8)-yes
Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10)-yes
Mike McIntyre(D, NC-7)-yes
Brad Miller (D, NC-13)-no
Sue Myrick (R, NC-9)-not voting
David Price (D, NC-4)-no
Heath Shuler (D, NC-11)-yes
Mel Watt (D, NC-12)-no