WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his colleagues in passing H.R. 5538, the Fiscal Year 2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill. The annual spending bill includes a number of provisions to cut burdensome red tape and prohibit funding for the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and regulations on power plants. Provisions that Latta has championed to provide flexibility for states to implement new ozone standards were also included in the legislation.
“The Obama Administration continues its bureaucratic overreach with rules and regulations that unnecessarily burden our farmers and hardworking men and women who are business owners,” said Latta. “From a WOTUS rule that would require obtaining a permit for puddles and ponds to a power plant plan that would massively increase energy costs for Ohio families, this unaccountable rule-making must be stopped. H.R. 5538 makes it clear that money is not to be spent on these harmful regulations.”
The President’s Waters of the United States rule significantly expands the scope and jurisdiction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corp of Engineers to include the majority of all waters and wet areas in the United States. This would mean landowners, farmers, home builders, and construction companies would have to use limited resources to apply for costly, time-consuming permits for ponds, ditches, or puddles, which they may not even be able to obtain.
The new power plant regulations were added last year as part of the Administration’s Climate Action Plan. The regulations would cause annual electricity increases between 12-17% for American families and businesses if put into effect. Aside from the impact on electricity costs, the new regulations would also cost jobs and harm the economy.
The provisions regarding new ozone requirements mirror recent legislation voted on in the House, and has long been championed by Latta, that would allow states more time and flexibility to implement the new standards. Congressman Latta voted for that legislation last month.
Additionally, the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill includes provisions supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. Latta served as co-chair of the caucus last Congress. H.R. 5538 prohibits the federal government from regulating lead content of fishing tackle and ammunition and also prohibits federal funds from being used to limit recreational hunting and shooting on public lands.
