Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)
Yesterday, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced H.R. 4214, the Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Act. This critical legislation, introduced by Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) this Congress, 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 modernize the process for obtaining preconstruction permits and meeting compliance requirements for revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
During yesterday’s markup, Congressman Allen delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, prior to the bill’s passage:
“Simply put, the Biden-Harris Administration’s unworkable rule to revise PM 2.5 standards tied the hands of job creators and manufacturers. It was the result of a bad process and provisions that allowed the Biden-Harris Administration to exploit the Clean Air Act to unfairly punish job creators and manufacturers. This bill provides much-needed clarity that will prevent these abuses from happening again.
“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.
“My legislation provides much-needed clarity for the process of obtaining preconstruction permits and meeting compliance requirements for revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Importantly, it protects American job creators from attempts in future administrations to abuse the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Specifically, this bill would require the EPA to publish implementing regulations and guidance when establishing or revising National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
“Too often, understaffed state agencies are forced to implement regulations on tight timelines with little to no guidance from the EPA. Currently, regulations go into effect as soon as they are final, but it often takes EPA months or even years to release implementation guidance on the rule. States depend on EPA’s implementation guidance to understand the requirements and come into attainment.
“This bill also requires guidance on how to submit preconstruction permit applications under new or revised standards. If EPA fails to do its job, then new standards will not apply to permit applications.
“This is about streamlining permitting and ensuring our state agencies have the proper guidance needed to properly do their jobs. It will remove costly delays and uncertainty that industries and developers often face when they try to build and invest in America.
“The Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act will pave the way for more manufacturing and investment in America, creating jobs and investment while also protecting our environment. Thank you, and I yield back.”