NEWS TITLE: -- Legislation to Protect State’s Natural Resources from Unconstitutional Regulation Advances

NEWS DATE: -- Feb 25, 2010

DETAILS:

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation to protect Oklahoma’s natural resources from federal intrusions and regulations passed the House Rules Committee this week thanks to State Rep. Sally Kern.
 
House Bill 3219, by Kern, creates the Oklahoma Environmental Authority Act and declares that certain environmental regulatory activities are not subject to federal laws or regulation, but instead fall under the authority of state agencies. 
 
“This is a 10th Amendment bill claiming our state’s sovereignty over our state resources so that they will be protected from unreasonable Environmental Protection Agency regulations,” said Kern, R-Oklahoma City.
 
The act declares that regulation of hazardous waste, emissions, water quality, drilling, processing, and exploration of oil and natural gas that originate and remain in the state shall not be subject to federal law or regulation. 
 
Kern said the bill would still allow Oklahoma environmental agencies to cooperate with federal environmental agencies, but they would not be required to enforce federal laws or regulations relating to purely in-state environmental resources and activities if state environmental agencies deem such regulations to be detrimental to Oklahoma's natural resources and a threat to injure the state’s economy.
 
“It is important we maintain working relationships with federal agencies; however, it is our right as a state to handle our natural resources under the guidelines and regulations we, as a state, choose to enact,” said Kern.
 
House Bill 3219 now proceeds to the full House of Representatives for a hearing.