Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined a letter led by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) in strong opposition to the EPA’s final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under the Clean Air Act. This rule would automatically deem parts of Kansas in violation of the Clean Air Act because of smoke from prescribed fires and even dust from high winds. This comes just before the season where ranchers across Kansas will use prescribed fire to kill invasive species and encourage the growth of new grass.
The letter was also signed by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).
The following groups have come out in support of the letter: American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Forest Resources Association, Hardwood Federation, Forest Landowners Association, Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA), National Mining Association, Pulp and Paperworkers’ Resource Council (PPRC), American Chemistry Council, American Petroleum Institute, Southern Group of State Foresters, American Wood Council, National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association (NSSGA).
Senator Marshall previously led a conservation series that highlighted the Flint Hills being the last remaining tallgrass ecosystem in the United States. The story discusses routine fire and its critical impact on preserving the Flint Hills. You may click HERE to read the full story.
The full letter can be found below or HERE.
