Schumer says EPA reg treats dairy farmers like BP

Story Created: Jul 21, 2010 at 3:45 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 21, 2010 at 3:45 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Senator Charles Schumer says dairy farmers are faced with a regulation that unintentionally holds them to the same
standard for cleaning up for spilled milk as a petroleum producer would face to clean up an oil spill.

The New York Democrat says Congress never meant for the Clean Water Act to hold local dairy farmers to the same standard as global petroleum companies such as BP just because milk contains animal fat, which is an oil.

He has called on federal Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to finalize a proposed exemption for dairy farmers from the expensive and burdensome clean-up plans intended for oil companies.

Schumer says Wednesday the provision could cost farmers thousands of dollars.

There was no immediate comment from the EPA.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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