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EPA Nominee Zeldin Vows Clarity in WOTUS Rules, Timeliness on RVOs, Cooperation With USDA

Story by Matt Kaye (Berns Bureau Washington), courtesy of NAFB News Service

EPA Chief nominee and former Congressman Lee Zeldin vowed at his Senate confirmation hearing, clarity on WOTUS rules, timeliness on renewable volume targets, and cooperation with USDA.

Zeldin agreed with North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer that the Supreme Court was clear in its definition of a water of the U.S. in its Sackett decision. And as for a future EPA WOTUS Rule, Zeldin said “it is important that when you’re going back to your home state and you’re speaking to your farmers, that you are able to, with confidence, be able to explain to them that the federal government is doing our part, so that they can define what ‘Waters of the U.S.’ are without having to go hire an attorney or someone else, pay a lot of money to ensure compliance.”

Zeldin added on WOTUS that “I will make sure that I’m doing my part that the EPA is honoring the decision of Sackett and any future laws to come out of Sackett. That is my commitment to you.”

Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts asked the EPA nominee about chronically late renewable volume obligation, or RVO, rules to which Zeldin said he’d commit to on time rulemakings. Senator Ricketts said “Congressman Zeldin, do you commit to give producers and the industry certainty that the marketplace deserves, give them the certainty by following the law as it relates to the timely and appropriate RVO rulemakings?” Zeldin replied “Yes, Senator.”

Zeldin noted President-elect Trump’s past support for E15 but couldn’t predict year-round sales of the fuel nationally. Zeldin said, “As far as establishing certainty, hopefully this is something that Congress is able to resolve. To the extent that you’re relying on the EPA to establish that certainty, I look forward to doing my part.”

Senate Ag Chair John Boozman asked Zeldin if he’d work closely with USDA on “predictable, science-based” and “timely” pesticide rules as well. Zeldin said “that must be our goal. That should be the relationship between all agencies, including the interaction between the EPA and the USDA.”

Zeldin received a mostly friendly reception from both sides of the aisle, though Democrats challenged him on climate change and questioned if he still held to 2016 comments on ending fossil fuel use. Zeldin was non-committal.

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