Kentucky Senator Rand Paul made campaign stops in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, where he referred to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an example of the federal government’s overreach.
Paul promised he would “get the government to leave [voters] alone” if elected president. “Anyone here a big fan of the EPA?” he asked. “The EPA is completely insane.”
When asked about the EPA’s involvement in air pollution regulation in Fairbanks, Paul responded that “air in Fairbanks is mostly a Fairbanks issue and an Alaska issue, and shouldn’t be a national issue. I don’t think anybody in Washington has a clue as to how you should or shouldn’t regulate your air.
Paul argued that the Obama administration “went after the coal mining industry,” and “they’re going to come after the oil and gas industry next.” Paul’s visit to the 49th state comes just under a week before President Obama is scheduled to visit the state to speak about climate change.