White House threatens to veto Republican farm-dust bill

But Republicans and some farm-state Democrats have nonetheless raised concerns that EPA will tighten the standards, alleging the move would impose a major economic burden on the agriculture sector.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the bill, sponsored by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), last month amid opposition from Democrats.

The White House said Wednesday that in addition to being unnecessary, the bill would “create high levels of regulatory uncertainty regarding emission control requirements that have been in place for years.”

“Specifically, the bill’s exclusion from the entire CAA of a new class of air pollutants called ‘nuisance dust’ (an imprecise and scientifically-undefined term) could be used to roll back existing public health protection limiting pollution from mining operations, industrial activities, and possibly other sources,” the White House said.

The bill, which faces major hurdles to passage in the Senate, is expected to come up on the House floor Wednesday.