The Senate has approved a resolution to overturn an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation designed to maintain emissions standards for some of the most polluting industries. The regulation in question, dealing with the Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources, ensures that when a facility reduces its emissions to the maximum extent possible, it must continue to adhere to strict emissions standards.
Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, responded to the Senate's decision. "The Senate voted today to overturn a critical cleanup measure that ensures some of the most deadly, cancer-causing pollution is kept out of the air families breathe," he stated. Wimmer highlighted the potential consequences of this decision, noting, "Overturning this rule would result in facilities across the country getting the green light to turn off pollution controls, letting more toxic pollutants into the air."
He further emphasized the broader impact of using the Congressional Review Act to negate the Clean Air Act rule, stating, "The use of the Congressional Review Act to undo this Clean Air Act rule will not only make people across the country sicker, it will create regulatory uncertainty that could ultimately make any future pollution cleanup measures harder. The House must reject this attempt to give polluters a free pass to harm kids’ health."
The resolution will now move to the House for consideration.
