Inhofe Calls for Oversight Hearing on EPA Stormwater Regulation

The onslaught of EPA job-killing regulations

"The onslaught of EPA job-killing regulations will likely continue next month when the Agency rolls out its proposed stormwater rule," Senator Inhofe said. "This rule has the potential to be one of the most costly regulations EPA has ever promulgated: it is an unfunded mandate that will cost state and local governments billions of dollars and increase costs for every ratepayer.

"As with most regulations coming out of EPA, it appears that the proposed stromwater rule will likely be another aggressive power grab. EPA has indicated it plans to extend existing stormwater regulations to include newly developed and redeveloped construction sites as well as rapidly urbanizing areas. As a result, development for states and municipalities will become increasingly more complicated and expensive, and areas of the country that are experiencing the most economic growth will be hit the hardest. For too long, environmental activists have been pushing for EPA to use stormwater regulations to control development. But EPA has no business getting involved in local planning decisions: the Clean Water Act is very clear that states are responsible for land use planning, not the federal government. If EPA goes through with regulating developed sites and post-construction stormwater discharges, it will penalize economic growth in the very few parts of the country where it is actually occurring. "Today I am calling on Senator Boxer to hold an oversight hearing on the Obama EPA's forthcoming proposed stormwater rule. The Agency needs to explain to Congress and the American people why it insists on stifling economic growth, especially at a time when we most need new development and more jobs."

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