To the editor:

In his 9/5/25 email to constituents, Rep. Finstad says he “was proud to be joined by Rep. Michelle Fischbach in welcoming EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin, to southern Minnesota for a tour of Christensen Farms.” Under Zeldin, the EPA is busy “unleashing prosperity through deregulation.”

Finstad is relieved that the EPA nixed a proposed rule that would have revised the 2004 wastewater treatment standards for meat and poultry processors. He expressed gratitude that the EPA “would not impose additional wastewater discharge regulations on processing facilities.”

Many environmental and public health experts say that the 2004 regulations need to be updated. Processors shouldn’t be given a renewed “pass to pollute” water, soil and air; they have a responsibility to safeguard human health.

Hamburger, pork chops and chicken nuggets are getting more expensive, but health care and environmental cleanup are even more expensive. Let’s unleash prosperity via responsible regulation and oversight.

Chris Loetscher

New Ulm