As EPA Turns Fifty, Administrator Touts Bright Future

WASHINGTON, DC – As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) turns 50 years old, Administrator Andrew Wheeler touted recent rollbacks in regulations and a new record of clean air and water in the United States. Testifying before the Senate Environment Committee Wednesday, Wheeler explained that today 93 percent of community water systems meet all health-based standards, all the time – up from 60 percent in the 1970s.

Chairman of the Committee, Sen. John Barrasso (WY-R) congratulated Wheeler on replacing the “illegal Waters of the U.S. rule”, also known as WOTUS. “Under the old rule, ponds, puddles, and prairie potholes would have fallen under Washington’s control” Barrasso explained, but “the replacement, known as the ‘Navigable Waters Protection rule,’ is supported by states, as well as farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. Barrasso also spoke about how the current EPA has saved over $5 billion in regulatory costs, saving Americans an estimated $1.5 billion last year alone through deregulatory actions.

Wheeler did face tough questions from both sides on the issue of small refinery exemptions (SRE’s) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Barrasso said he wanted EPA to continue offering the exemptions, especially to small refineries in Wyoming, while Sen. Joni Ernst (IA-R) worked the other side asking when Wheeler would fulfill his promise to corn producers. He did outline two plans the agency is working on: the National Water Reuse Action Plan which is intended to speed adoption of water reuse in communities and a food waste reduction program to help reach the Nation’s goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030.