EPA Region 7 Administrator Sums Up First Year On The Job

With nearly 40 years of experience in both the public and private sectors of the environmental industry, Jim Macy was tapped by the Trump administration last year to lead EPA’s Region 7. He noted that 28 years of that career span were spent with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. As the guest speaker at the Ag Business Council’s March luncheon meeting, he remarked that now is an important time in U.S. history. “And it is an exciting time to be involved in environmental issues and challenges.”

Macy said it was time for EPA to get back to basics and “bring common sense to following the rules.” Region 7, he noted, presides over Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and nine Tribal Nations. It is his responsibility to ensure his EPA jurisdiction “follows the rules enacted by Congress.” He intends to foster a cooperative environment among states and state groups by “listening, working with and partnering” with them. “We respect states and their ability to do the job; we don’t want to interfere. We will also provide additional expertise.”

At the same time, Macy said, it is his job to support U.S. energy dominance. Achieving that includes “supporting year-round availability of E-15 and guaranteeing clean air, land and water for every American.” He also identified several other “pillars” necessary to gain energy preeminence:

• Reforming permitting processes

• Fostering cooperative federalism

• Forming cross-agency partnerships

• Making the U.S. the Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World

• Protecting and bringing back American auto jobs

Macy added that he supports farmers’ rights to fix their own equipment but recognizes more discussion needs to take place. He also acknowledged there are concerns about herd agriculture that may require new guidance.