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Uh, no plans eh? They actually ALREADY regulate farm dust. So, that statement that there are no plans is technically true, but absolute bullshit at the same time.

What exists is the national ambient air quality standards. Within that are regulations on particulate material. Within THAT are two sections. PM2.5 and PM10. PM10 includes dust.

What was proposed, after research on the health impact of particulate matter was making the standard between 3-6 times more stringent. At which point, someone pointed out that this would basically shut down agriculture west of the rockies, and that would be bad. Conversations ensued where it was pointed out that food riots and starvation are indeed health risks too, and a bunch of legislators wrote a letter saying don't do stupid shit. The EPA then responded by saying, you have a point, we will leave PM10 specifications as is.

Which although hideously bureaucratic, is how the government is supposed to work.

The GOP thought they would have to argue harder and have a talking point for the campaign. Instead they are beating a dead horse with spin. However, as much as I dislike spinning, I can't blame them too much. The EPA finally responded to them only on october 11th. 30 days isn't much time to rework your campaign strategy.

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/pdfs/20111014Klobuchar.pdf

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It would be nice if you would mention why the EPA wants to regulate particulates. The reason why the EPA wants to regulate particulate matter is that study after study indicates that particulate matter is making people sick and it is killing them. And that the health cost far outweights the cost of controlling the particulates.