U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has introduced a new measure to help prevent a repeat of last winter, when coal-fired power plants were forced to shut down temporarily because unreliable rail delivery issues caused coal stockpiles to dwindle to dangerously low levels

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 28, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) issued the following statement today after the Obama administration launched the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s final “Waters of the United States” rule:

“Once again, the Obama administration is reaching beyond its authority, this time through an EPA rule that vastly expands the definition of waterways. Under this rule, the EPA will have the ability to regulate small streams, farm ponds and irrigation ditches, which could devastate farmers and ranchers across the country. The House acted earlier this month to prevent the rule, and I now urge the Senate to act swiftly to sink the administration’s water grab.”

Rep. Graves voted in favor of the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732), which passed the House on May 12, 2015. H.R. 1732 would require the “Waters of the United States” rule be withdrawn. Additionally, Rep. Graves voted in favor of the fiscal year 2016 Energy and Water Appropriations bill (H.R. 2028), which includes a provision that prohibits implementation of the “Waters of the United States” rule.

The “Waters of the United States” rule significantly increases the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act, resulting in a major expansion of federal government’s power over land across America.