Correction appended.

Facing tough questions from farm state lawmakers today, U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson scrambled to dispel what she called "myths" about her agency's agriculture regulations.

Jackson took aim at agribusiness's most-repeated criticisms of EPA, including whether the agency is preparing new regulations on pesticide spray drift and dust kicked up by farming operations.

"These mischaracterizations," Jackson told the House Agriculture Committee, "are more than simple distractions. They prevent real dialogue to address our greatest problems."

EPA has not proposed a new dust rule and "does not support a no-spray drift policy," referring to pesticide drift.

The administrator also sought to dismiss the notion that EPA is seeking to treat spilled milk on farms the same way it treats an oil spill. "This is simply incorrect," she said.

The spilled milk issue has become rallying cry for Republicans seeking to target what they view as overly expansive regulations (Greenwire, Feb. 2).

Jackson went on to address the notion that EPA was going to regulate methane emissions from flatulent cows, which is often derided as a "cow tax." Jackson said the claim was created in 2008 by a lobbyist and has been debunked by the nonpartisan FactCheck.org.

"The truth is," Jackson said, "EPA is proposing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a responsible manner. We have even exempted agriculture sources."

Jackson also sought to extend an olive branch to agriculture.

"Farmers and ranchers are a central part of our economy," she said.

But Jackson's remarks did little to tamp down emotions on the panel.

Illinois Republican Tim Johnson said EPA has "grossly violated and overstepped any reasonable limitations with respect to the executive branch of the government."

"Your agency has time after time after time intruded on the legislative authority," Johnson added. "Your agency has been absolutely the poster child, if you will, for usurpation of legislative authority."

Johnson pressed the administrator on whether she had any background in agriculture. Jackson's response: "I eat food and I eat meat and I drink milk."

"Well congratulations on being aware of that," Johnson responded. "I hope your subordinates would follow your example."

Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) also went on the attack.

"Many members of this committee believe over the past two years the EPA has pursued an agenda seemingly absent of the consequences it would have on rural America and production agriculture," Lucas said.

Jackson did not get any help from Democrats. California Rep. Dennis Cardoza said he agreed with the remarks of his Republican colleagues and accused EPA of partaking in "agency activism."

"I believe that your agency is the most unpopular agency from sea to shining sea," Cardoza said. "Bar none."

Further, ranking member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said farmers feel victimized by EPA.

Farmers, he said, "see an out-of-control agency that doesn't understand agriculture and doesn't want to understand."

Peterson then questioned Jackson about EPA's process for handling lawsuits, saying that litigation often leads to rulemaking that should be left to Congress.

Correction: Cardoza's reference to "agency activism" was misquoted in an earlier version.