The EPA's decision to set water pollution limits in Florida is
quickly becoming a political issue — and given the potential effect on
big business and big agriculture, one that is attracting a litany of
special interests.
Michael Sole, the state's Department of Environmental
Protection secretary, briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday. All members, in
particular Attorney General Bill McCollum who called the EPA's
actions "outrageous," appear ready to go to court to challenge the
federal government if they don't like the number set in January.
Already one legislative committee heard from DEP about the issue and a second group of lawmakers will get briefed this afternoon.
The forces aligned against the EPA — led by Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson,
who expressed skepticism in global warming yesterday — are making
presentations with heightened rhetoric about a standard that the
federal government hasn't even set yet. Likewise, the environmental
groups that settled the lawsuit with the EPA continue to parade the
same series of enlarged algae bloom photos to prove their point.
But in an interview, Sole clarified a few points that should quiet the crowd's draconian predictions — if they listen.
The main talking point from opponents: the EPA won't use science to
make its decision, it will let politics dictate. Bronson suggested the
feds will pick the number out of the air.
Asked if there is any indication to suggest this, Sole said no.
"No they will use science," he said. "The question is: is it sound science? I believe it's there intent to use sound science."
In fact, the EPA is using the state's data to set the number, Sole said.
Sole's concern is the methodology. He said the federal government
takes a conservative approach to setting pollution limits. But he wants
to factor in the cost, so as to not make it too burdensome on
businesses, municipalities and agriculture."Because of significant cost
in infrastructure we need to be looking more and more to what is
necessary instead of just taking a conservative approach," he said.
A point often emphasized by environmental groups is how the state
dragged its feet, spending 10 years doing research without establishing
the narrative pollution standards.
But Sole said EPA and Earthjustice entered the consent decree the
day before he planned to brief an environmental regulatory commission
on the state's proposed standards."I believe we would have had those
standards in place and done this year," he said.
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