Inhofe Releases Letters From States on Cooperative Federalism

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today released letters received from EPW member states in response to Inhofe’s letter to states sent on Jan. 12 requesting feedback on state implementation of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory programs. Of the 20 letters sent, 17 responses were received and entered into the record at today’s hearing with EPW member state regulators entitled, Cooperative Federalism: State Perspectives on EPA Regulatory Actions and the Role of States as Co-Regulators.

“It’s critical to the EPW Committee’s understanding of federal environmental policies to not just hear from the EPA, but the states on the ground implementing these policies, “ Inhofe said. “I am pleased to receive robust feedback from state regulators and look forward to receiving additional responses.  As the letters and today’s hearing highlight, there are many areas where states report that EPA is not upholding the principle of cooperative federalism.  In a majority of the letters, states reported that EPA is deviating from its core functions and imposing mandates on states driven by a political agenda. This results in years of litigation, regulatory uncertainty, and costly inefficiencies while failing to produce meaningful environmental benefits. The testimony and feedback from states will aid my committee as we continue to identify ways to enhance the co-regulatory role of states and EPA in achieving environmental goals.”

 

To view the full text of the letter from Oklahoma, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Louisiana, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Wyoming, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from West Virginia, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Idaho, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Arkansas, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Alabama, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Mississippi, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Nebraska, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from South Dakota, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Alaska, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from California, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Delaware, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Maryland, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Vermont, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Oregon, click here.

To view the full text of the letter from Massachusetts, click here

 

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