Energy and the Environment

Ignoring a veto threat from the Obama administration, the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill that, among other things, changes the way the government regulates red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

The largely party-line 225-152 vote reauthorizes the so-called Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act, which governs fisheries management off the U.S. coast. The bill, which provides a little less than $2 billion through 2019, now goes to the Senate.

Farmers and agricultural groups across Alabama are expressing concern this week over how producers will be affected by new Clean Water Act regulations announced this week by the Environmental Protection Agency.

While legal experts are still reviewing the final rule, farm groups — like the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Cattlemen's Association — say EPA's past efforts to broaden its jurisdiction are cause for concern.

WASHINGTON — Congressman Gary Palmer spoke out this week against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest major regulation, which opponents say is a significant overreach of the bureaucracy's power.

Along with the Army Corps of Engineers, the EPA is seeking to redefine "Waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act to include small areas water collects or could collect, such as ditches, puddles and small ponds.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer visited Chilton County on May 5, speaking at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon and touring local schools.

Palmer was introduced at the luncheon by Kevin Corley, pastor at Grace Fellowship church in Clanton who is family friends with Palmer.

Palmer talked about the number of committees he's a part of, and some of the main points of his platform.

"We have to get our fiscal house in order," Palmer said about the country's financial situation.