House accepts GOP amendments to farm dust bill, spikes Dem proposals

By voice vote, the House approved amendments from:

Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ariz.), to direct EPA to consult with the secretary of Agriculture when regulating nuisance dust;

Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), to include a sense of the Congress that regulations on dust should not be a reaction to natural events such as dust storms, and;

{mosads}Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), to require EPA to analyze the economic impact on the agriculture industry before it issues new particulate-matter regulations related to agriculture.

By roll call, the House rejected amendments from:

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), to allow EPA to continue enforcing fine particulate water standards, and allow EPA to regulate nuisance dust anywhere. Rejected 150-255.

Delegate Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands), to allow EPA to regulate nuisance dust if EPA determines state, local or tribal laws are not sufficient to protect public health. Rejected 159-250.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), to change the definition of nuisance dust to exclude particulate matter containing arsenic or other heavy metals that are harmful to human health. Rejected 165-249.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), to alter the definition of nuisance dust to exclude particulate matter produced from mining activities. Rejected 158-257.

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), to require EPA to report to Congress on the increase or decrease in the number of jobs as a result of the bill. Rejected 170-247.