# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of EPA's Ohio Air Plan Rule

Congress is voting to reject a technical change that the Environmental Protection Agency made to Ohio's air quality plan. Here's what that means in practical terms: The EPA had submitted a small amendment to how Ohio manages air pollution, but this joint resolution would essentially say "no thanks" and undo that change.

This is part of a special congressional power called the "Congressional Review Act," which lets Congress block certain government agency rules they disagree with. In this case, Congress is using that power to disapprove of the EPA's specific technical adjustment to Ohio's air pollution control strategy. If this resolution passes, the EPA's amendment would be withdrawn, and Ohio would go back to its previous air quality plan rules.

The real-world impact depends on what exactly the EPA's amendment changed. Air quality plans affect things like how much pollution factories and power plants can emit, which ultimately influences the air Ohioans breathe. Without knowing the specific details of what the amendment did, it's hard to say whether this disapproval would make air quality better or worse. What matters is that this is Congress essentially overruling an environmental agency decision and telling the EPA that Ohio's air pollution rules should stay as they were before this amendment.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Withdrawal of Technical Amendment".

Husted, Jon

<p>This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule titled <em>Air Plan Approval; Ohio; Withdrawal of Technical Amendment</em> (90 Fed. Reg. 6811) and published on January 21, 2025. Among other elements, the rule reversed a final rule from November 2020 that removed the Air Nuisance Rule (ANR) from the Ohio State Implementation Plan (SIP). The EPA determined its original action to remove the ANR was in error, and this rule reinstates the ANR. (Under the Clean Air Act, states must submit SIPs to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This ANR was included in Ohio’s SIP.)</p>