# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Disapproval of EPA Air Quality Rule

Congress is trying to block a recent Environmental Protection Agency decision about which factories and industrial facilities need to follow strict air pollution rules. Here's what's actually happening and why it matters.

The EPA recently changed its policy about which large pollution sources have to comply with the Clean Air Act's toughest regulations. Specifically, the EPA reclassified some major industrial facilities from "major sources" to "area sources," which is basically a downgrade in how strictly they're regulated. This resolution is Congress's way of saying "we don't approve of that change" and would overturn the EPA's decision if it passes. Think of it like Congress hitting the undo button on the EPA's rule change.

The practical effect is about air quality and pollution control. Facilities classified as "major sources" have to install expensive pollution control equipment and follow stricter monitoring requirements. By downgrading some facilities to "area sources," the EPA made their regulations less stringent. If this resolution passes, those facilities would go back to being treated as major sources, meaning they'd have to follow the tougher pollution standards again. This could increase costs for certain industries but potentially improve air quality in communities near these facilities. Environmental groups generally support blocking the EPA's change, while affected industries oppose it, since stricter regulations mean higher compliance costs for them.

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 "Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act".

Curtis, John R.

<p>This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency rule titled <em>Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act</em> (89 Fed. Reg. 73293) and published on September 10, 2024. Among other elements, the rule requires sources of persistent and bioaccumulative hazardous air pollutants to continue to comply with certain major source emission standards under the Clean Air Act even if the sources reclassify as area sources.</p>