WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced a bill reversing the Biden-Harris Administration’s unnecessary, jobs-killing rule setting overly restrictive National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5).
Original cosponsors include: Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Randy Weber (R-TX).
This bill will return the acceptable PM 2.5 standards to 12 micrograms per cubic meter, the standard previously set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and deemed protective of public health. Since its implementation in 1980, total emissions of criteria air pollutants dropped 73 percent.
“The Biden Administration’s irresponsible and unnecessary PM 2.5 standard will make it almost impossible to build in the United States. This includes the construction of new semiconductor manufacturing facilities, allowing international competitors with more practical environmental standards to outpace us,” said Rep. Carter. “America has the best environmental standards and wonderful economic potential. We must maintain both by rolling back this burdensome, unnecessary Green New Deal rule.”
“The Biden Administration’s NAAQS Rule was part of their assault on America’s industries and economy,” said Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01). “This decision hit farmers, foresters, and manufacturers the hardest, threatening to dole out punishments despite the new air quality standards being completely infeasible. I’d like to thank Representative Carter for leading this important legislation to nullify the rule. It’s time to undo the damage from the Biden Administration’s war on rural economies and restore common sense.”
"The PM 2.5 standard is yet another example of the Biden administration’s overreaching and unnecessary regulations that have imposed unworkable standards on builders and developers. These kinds of mandates not only drive-up costs but also delay critical projects that our communities rely on. I'm proud to support this legislation as we work to unleash American production and strengthen our economy," said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11).
Read full bill text here.
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