A recent article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune reminds us industry meddling in the regulatory process is not solely a federal problem, it is occurring at the state level as well:

After three years of research, [Minnesota] was ready to impose the nation's first water-quality limit for acetochlor, a potent farm chemical that was washing into rivers and lakes.

But after hearing from scientists from agribusiness giants Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) decided to allow more than twice the concentration of the chemical in rivers than it had originally proposed.

As a result, three of five rivers that the state had previously classified as "impaired" by acetochlor, including a popular trout stream in southeastern Minnesota, will no longer be considered polluted.

The whole thing sounds pretty fishy. MPCA was prepared to set a standard of 1.7 parts per billion for the chemical, but, after the agriculture industry representatives presented published studies the agency had not reviewed during the decision making process, MPCA weakened the standard to 3.6 parts per billion.

A former MPCA staffer "said he is baffled that the state would spend years of research preparing to establish an official standard of 1.7 parts per billion, and then change its mind in the space of a few weeks," according to the article.

Controversies like this one may become more common as more states push for progressive environmental policy to make up for the federal government's failures. Hopefully, industry influence will not succeed in derailing state efforts as it has federal regulation.

(Thanks to Center for Science in the Public Interest for pointing this story out.)

In 2007, new regulatory policies and the inability of federal agencies to protect the public made headlines more so than at any time in recent memory. Four themes dominated regulatory policy in 2007: White House influence over agency rulemaking activity and discretion; the inability of the federal government to ensure the safety of imported goods; the influence of industry groups; and the Bush administration's refusal to regulate in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence.

Click on these links for a recap of 2007's highlights and lowlights:

• White House Interventions
• Import Safety
• Industry Influence
• Ignoring Science