# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of EPA's "Good Neighbor Plan"

Congress is voting on whether to reject a rule that the Environmental Protection Agency created to address air pollution that crosses state lines. The EPA's "Good Neighbor Plan" was designed to make sure that when one state's pollution drifts into another state and makes the air quality worse, the polluting state has to do something about it. This rule specifically applies to ozone pollution standards that were set in 2015.

The bill uses a special congressional process that allows lawmakers to overturn regulations they disagree with. If this bill passes, it would cancel the EPA's rule entirely, meaning states wouldn't be required to control their pollution to prevent it from harming air quality in neighboring states. This is important because air pollution doesn't respect state borders—wind carries smog and ozone from industrial areas, power plants, and cars across state lines, affecting people's health in downwind states.

If the bill becomes law, states that have been working to meet clean air standards could find it harder to do so, since they'd have less ability to require their neighbors to reduce emissions. People living in areas that receive pollution from other states—particularly those with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions—could potentially face worse air quality. On the other hand, states and industries that would have to spend money reducing emissions under the EPA rule would avoid those costs if the rule is eliminated.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Federal 'Good Neighbor Plan' for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards".

Burgess, Michael C.

 <p>This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency rule relating to <i>Federal &quot;Good Neighbor Plan&quot; for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards</i> (88 Fed. Reg. 36654) and published on June 5, 2023. The rule ensures that 23 states meet &quot;Good Neighbor&quot; standards required by the Clean Air Act by reducing pollution that significantly contributes to problems attaining and maintaining health-based air quality standards for ground-level ozone in downwind states.</p>