Correct . Yes or no . Im not going to do that. But you did say that. Are you expanding your authority here with this proposal . No. None whatsoever. No. Why have the new rule, then . Because the existing rule, as i mentioned, is based on flawed approaches to determining jurisdiction, is actually more broad than the Supreme Court has asked us to let me ask you this, then. Do you believe that this rule improves the overall clarity of epas jurisdiction or authority . Yes or no . Yes. You think it does. Well, youre absolutely incorrect. You can see the questions were asking here. This rule is not needed. The Supreme Court didnt tell you to make a new rule. It said that you could, and to me, its expanding the authority in breach of the epa, and thats the reason theres so much discontent all across this country, not only in my state of georgia but in every state in this country because you all are expanding your authority. You talked about if anybody wants to put a pollutant into water, they
Try to identify the conservation practices that would be clearly exempt from having to have a clean water permit was something we worked on directly with the department of agriculture. What did the army corp of engineers say. They were coauthors of the rule. So they provided you input . They helped write it. Okay. If Small Businesses have never obtained a permit under the clean water act before, how do they know if they will need to get a permit under this new rule . Well it depends on what their action is. Are they discharging pollution. How will they know whether their action requires it. If you discharge pollution, you have to get a permit. I mean its the current law. Well, they may know that now but have never had to do it before. How will they know if this additional rule will require them to do a permit. Well, if you do not have if youre not regulated under the clean water act now under the existing existing regulations, you will not be regulated under this proposal. Say this aga
Minutes ago, you said the Supreme Court has said that the epa needs to do rule making. I think thats what i heard you say. I think what the Supreme Court actually said is that under the law, you have the authority to do rule making. I think thats what the Supreme Court said. I think what the American People who by the way all three branches of the federal government is subject to, the American People, i think what they expect the epa to do is to provide a responsible, Regulatory Environment that protects public safety, protects public health, but that does not disadvantage american businesses and American Workers and cripple our economy. From the shut down of the coal industry through epa regulations, through the strangle hold that epa regulations have over our manufacturing sector, you name it. Thats why the American People and congress dont trust the epa. Let me go into a few questions here with you. You know theres enough new definitions and new ideas in this rule making that its ob