November 17, 2023 |
Photo – EPA logo – Courtesy Wikipedia
Governor Mark Gordon is pushing back against the latest environmental rule from the Biden White House.
The Environmental Protection Agency, this week, released its final rule for how states are to develop plans required under the Clean Air Act for certain existing sources.
Traditionally, states with primacy over air quality, such as Wyoming, have latitude on developing plans for specific sites to minimize unwarranted costs.
EPA’s new federal rule hinders Wyoming’s ability to administer its own state program under Section 111 (D) guidelines. Governor Gordon described the overreach as “another outrageous example of federal overreach that impedes our ability to administer our own air program.”
Under previous White House administrations, Wyoming had 36 months – three years—to collect input from citizens and industry to develop the state plan.
The Biden Administration has cut the timeline in half.
In his statement Thursday, Governor Gordon said, ““EPA ignored Wyoming and other states’ input and dictated 18 months was sufficient. EPA’s rule stacks the deck in favor of the EPA imposing their federal plans, since states will now have significantly less time to develop plans and have meaningful input from citizens and industry.”
The governor also noted that the Biden Administration found it necessary to give itself more time to review state plans.
“Once more, the governor said in yesterday’s statement, “The EPA is showing insidious intent by telling the states, “DC knows best”.
The governor added that EPA’s “best” will raise costs for Wyoming citizens and industries.
