Lewis County Congressman Thomas Massie is criticizing a proposed expansion of the EPA’s authority to regulate water quality under the Clean Water Act. The Republican lawmaker made his comments on Wednesday (July 9) at a hearing of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
He says the rules would apply to private property owners and lack scientific definitions and measurements for terms like ponds, lakes and flood plains.
“Without facts, all you have is opinion and this leaves it open to opinion. So, without units you cannot have science without measurements. You know, I’m looking at the rule here and I can’t find any numbers, I can’t find any unit measurements.” –Thomas Massie
Massie also says it’s “fiscally irresponsible” for the EPA to be expanding its regulatory powers when the agency’s budget will be reduced next year.