Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) and Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (GA-01) introduced two bills to update the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) program.
The Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act, introduced by Congressman Allen, is a necessary solution in response to the Biden-Harris Administration's harmful final rule for Fine Particulate Matter, otherwise known as PM 2.5 standards. This legislation would repeal the overly burdensome, economically devastating Biden-Harris PM 2.5 rule and modernize the standard and program for preconstruction permits.
The Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform Act (CLEAR Act), introduced by Congressman Carter, would make several changes to the process for establishing and implementing NAAQS, ensuring states have the needed time to comply with realistic standards and are not penalized by the EPA for wildfire mitigation tactics such as prescribed burns.
"Simply put, the Biden-Harris Administration's unworkable rule to revise PM 2.5 standards tied the hands of job creators and manufacturers. The Golden Age of America is upon us, and House Republicans are committed to eliminating unnecessary compliance and implementation burdens that harm our states, business communities, and economic development. Both of these bills deliver just that and protect the nearly 27,000 manufacturing workers who call Georgia's 12th District home," said Congressman Rick Allen.
"The CLEAR Act offers a common sense solution for states to improve air quality standards without overly burdensome, unrealistic rules that threaten economic growth without meaningfully contributing to Americans' wellbeing. By updating our approach to NAAQS, we will take an America First step toward strengthening our manufacturing base and unleashing energy dominance," said Congressman Buddy Carter.
"It’s time for Congress to take commonsense actions and ensure the Clean Air Act works as intended while not hampering our ability to bring more manufacturing to the United States or preventing us from building the powerful data centers needed to win the race for AI," said Chairman Guthrie. "I’m grateful to Congressman Carter and Congressman Allen for their work in introducing these important bills that will help ensure impossible standards don’t stand in the way of American innovation."
"Updates to the Clean Air Act are long overdue. In our recent Environment Subcommittee hearing, I was proud to voice my support for Congressman Carter’s Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform Act and Congressman Allen’s Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act. These bills will help modernize the Clean Air Act in a way that appropriately protects the environment without needlessly hindering innovation and economic prosperity," said Congressman Morgan Griffith, Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee.
"The NAM supports the Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform Act and the Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act—two important bills that will modernize the outdated and broken NAAQS process, which has too often slowed manufacturing growth without improving environmental outcomes. Advancing this legislation will pave the way for greater manufacturing investment and expansion in the United States, stimulating job creation across the country. Manufacturers commend Representatives Allen and Carter for introducing these bills and for helping restore balance to the regulatory process—supporting manufacturing investment, job creation and infrastructure development while maintaining strong environmental protections. These proposals reflect the kind of smart, practical policymaking manufacturers across the country need to succeed," said Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy, National Association of Manufacturers.
ORIGINAL COSPONSORS OF BOTH BILLS: Reps. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Bob Latta (OH-05), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Randy Weber (TX-14), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04).
