U.S. Congress weighs changes to Clean Air Act

Abstract

Chemical companies, other manufacturers, and their Republican allies in the U.S. Congress are seeking an overhaul of a federal program requiring air pollution permits before industrial facilities are built or expanded. These permits are mandatory for new construction or significant modifications at existing facilities to ensure companies reduce air emissions. This Clean Air Act requirement, which dates to 1977, is complex and drags out the permitting process, particularly for existing facilities, companies say. However, it has made older facilities, such as aging coal-fired power plants, upgrade to modern air pollution equipment when companies significantly modify them. While it has had support from community and environmental groups because it has cut air pollution, the requirement has been a bane of industry for decades. It is the subject of several long-running industry challenges to EPA enforcement actions. Congressional efforts to limit the regulation through new legislation or EPA guidance have heat...