Speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns has questioned the sincerity of the Environmental Protection Agency over a campaign the Senator is calling EPA’s “Charm Offensive”. According to Johanns, the problem is – what the EPA is selling publicly to farmers and ranchers just doesn’t match up with reality. They say one thing on the road while the regulatory train just continues to barrel forward in Washington.

Well, not to worry. Johanns says EPA message number one in the “Charm Offensive” is – the EPA doesn’t have any plans to do anything as silly as regulating farm dust. At the same time, EPA assistant administrator Gina McCarthy says National Air Quality Standards – are not focused on any specific category of sources or any activity, including activities relating to agriculture or rural roads. The source of the dust doesn’t matter.

Johanns told Senators, – the reality is – there is a public relations effort. And then there’s a whole separate effort called the “Charm Offensive” effort. And then there is regulatory reality. Instead of spouting charming verbiage about the benefits of increased regulation, EPA should be looking for a way to work with farmers and ranchers and small businesses to find solutions to environmental challenges while creating jobs for Americans who are out of work.