EPA classifies milk as oil, forcing costly rules on farmers

[cavegal]

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/06/epa_classifies_milk_as_oil_for.html 

GRAND RAPIDS -- Having watched the oil gushing in the Gulf of Mexico, dairy farmer Frank Konkel has a hard time seeing how spilled milk can be labeled the same kind of environmental hazard.

But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is classifying milk as oil because it contains a percentage of animal fat, which is a non-petroleum oil.

The Hesperia farmer and others would be required to develop and implement spill prevention plans for milk storage tanks. The rules are set to take effect in November, though that date might be pushed back.

"That could get expensive quickly," Konkel said. "We have a serious problem in the Gulf. Milk is a wholesome product that does not equate to spilling oil."

But last week environmentalists disagreed at a Senate committee hearing on a resolution from Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, calling for the EPA to rescind its ruling.

"The federal Clean Water Act requirements were meant to protect the environment from petroleum-based oils, not milk," he said. "I think it is an example of federal government gone amuck."

But Gayle Miller, legislative director of Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, said agricultural pollution probably is the nation's most severe chronic problem when it comes to water pollution.

"Milk is wholesome in a child's body. It is devastating in a waterway," Miller said. "The fact that it's biodegradable is irrelevant if people die as a result of cryptosporidium, beaches close for E. coli and fish are kil

THESE PEOPLE ARE DRUNK WITH POWER. ANYTHING TO DESTROY=EPA

[Thor]

animal fat is biodegradable unlike petroleum based products. It doubt that it causes cryptosporidium  or e-coli. Besides, I DOUBT that farmers are dumping millions of gallons of milk in the nation's waterways.

[Carl]

What the?????????

I can only speak for here but it is impossible for this to happen.
First it would require a farmer to leave the drain off valve on the bulk tank open..could happen but since that is their lifesblood most are pretty careful.
Second is that tanks are installed all or partially inside a building with a concrete floor with a drain and a "septic" of sorts usually a dry well.

For it to somehow be flowing unchecked into a waterway is just a stupid suggestion.

[debk]

Where the hell are these dipshits coming from.....they are breeding like rabbits!!!  (sorry Mr. SB)

[Hawkgirl]

This is why Less government is the only way to live. 

This is the result of people staying home and not voting.  You give more power to politicians to start these ridiculous societies that make the rules.  These societies are not people who are elected...just people taking more power away from citizens.


This shit has got to stop!

[MrsSmith]

I can understand them having a problem with manure runoff, but this is just asinine.   

[docstew]

I guess the EPA does see some use crying over spilled milk.

[rich_t]

Change you can believe in.

[bkg]

Change you can believe in.

Don't blame this just on the current Marxist... the EPA has steadily been gaining power over the last couple of decades.

EPA will be the 4th, unchecked, arm of gov't in < 10 years.

[Alpha Mare]

  Shouldn't the definition of milk fall under the USDA-the one government program that rarely ever follows through on anything?

[Chris_]

I'm not sure what to say to this.

"No use crying over spilled milk."

????