Duane Stahl, Valley City
Farmers and others rightfully criticize the Environmental Protection Agency about ridiculous regulations enforced or threatened concerning "navigable waterways" often puddles in fields and dust raised by trucks or equipment.
Perhaps there's an explanation in comments by a top EPA official and reported by U.S. Senator Inhofe, R-Okla. In the video, Region VI Administrator Al Armendariz said EPA's "general philosophy" is to crucify and make examples of oil and gas companies.
"It was kind of like how the Romans used to, you know, conquer villages in the Mediterranean. They'd go in to a little Turkish town somewhere, they'd find the first five guys they saw and they'd crucify them. Then, you know, that town was really easy to manage for the next few years."
Soon after, in 2010, notes Inhofe, the EPA began smearing natural gas producers in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wyoming, saying or insinuating that companies' methods caused water contamination and threatening fines and penalties. Then, when claims could not be substantiated, the EPA quietly backtracked-after public perception had been firmly set against these companies and oil and natural gas.
President Nixon established the EPA by executive order-no vote by Congress. Some say it needs "reforming." When did that ever reduce the size and cost of a federal agency? Let's get rid of it-and others, like the Departments of Education and Energy. Tell Senators Hoeven and Conrad and Representative Berg to get serious about reducing government.