Today, Representative Buddy Carter (GA-01) was joined by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) in introducing a nullification to overturn the Biden Administration’s onerous finalized rule on National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Representatives August Pfluger (TX-11) and Randy Weber (TX-14) also co-sponsored the legislation.
“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 Chairman LaMalfa. “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 Buddy 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,” said Rep. Pfluger. “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.”
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
Background:
Particulate matter is a mixture of particles that can originate from various industrial processes as well as basic everyday activities such as fireplaces, unpaved roadways, and manufacturing centers. Wildfires can also dramatically affect particulate matter levels, which is of grave concern as we are continually unable to manage our forests properly.
Under the Biden Administration, the EPA moved to reconsider and tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter reducing the current 12 μg/m3 to 9 μg/m3. This level is almost entirely unobtainable. For context, Europe’s PM2.5 limit is 25 μg/m3 and China’s is 35 μg/m3. The United States already has the best air quality in the world, and lowering this limit would severely punish all domestic manufacturing and rural ways of life. Any state or county found out of compliance would be prohibited from constructing new roads, building new factories, and would be fined drastic amounts, threatening prosperity, especially in Rural America.
