During recent meetings, we have heard local government leaders talk about the issues they have with certain government entities. One government department which seems to always be a topic of consternation in conversation is the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
We need to be clear from the beginning – we firmly believe in the value of being good stewards of the planet. We believe in water quality, air quality and hold firmly to the old adage we are borrowing the planet we live on from our children and grandchildren.
That being stated, we also believe there are times when government goes way too far, and it seems the MPCA and its federal family member the Environmental Protection Agency have certainly done that.
Take, as an example, a recent press re-lease from Minnesota’s Seventh Congression-al District Rep. Collin Peterson. In this release he pointedly stated the EPA has overstepped its authority and is doing what should be the prerogative of Congress, not unelected bureaucrats. Those are pretty harsh words.
At the state level, we see the same kind of thing. We recently heard Rep. Paul Torkelson talking about the need to get leaders from the MPCA together in the same room with ethanol leaders to address some of the tensions that have developed between the two entities. From our perspective, government is intended to help, not hinder, and the MPCA with its excessive regulations and impractical rules is not helping anyone.
Is there a need for an environmental watchdog at the state level?
We think there is, because there are people who abuse and take advantage.
The problem we see with the MPCA is it is focusing more of its attention away from the abusers and is creating problems we think are not really there.
Making one-size-fits-all rules and then mandating counties to approve them is not a reflection of government helping.
Allowing county leaders, those who are actually working and living in the environment being impacted, to best decide what is the best alternative for the individual county is the right option. People in metro offices do not know what is best for rural residents.
The MPCA continues to do the wrong thing for the State of Minnesota, especially the rural parts of the state.
Legislators need to put the MPCA leadership in its place, and perhaps the best option is to dissolve the MPCA and make a fresh start with a more practical agency.
We applaud local units of government who have pushed or are pushing back against these bureaucrats.
It’s time to do away with the MPCA.
