Federal Air Legislation: November 14th U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee Hearing on Targeted Air Bills

The Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety (“Subcommittee”) of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is holding a hearing today on legislation related to air issues.

The legislation being considered are four bills addressing unrelated issues which include:

• S. 1857, A bill to establish a compliance deadline of May 15, 2023, for Step 2 emissions standards for new residential wood heaters, new residential hydronic heaters, and forced-air furnaces (legislation references the final Clean Air Act rule that was promulgated on March 16, 2015. See 80 Fed. Reg. 13672.)
• S.203, Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2017 (bill’s intent is to reaffirm that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may not regulate vehicles used solely for competition)
• S. 839, Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns Act of 2017 (bill’s purpose is stated to be to provide for judicial review of any final rule addressing the Clean Air Act [NESHAPS] for brick and structural clay products or clay ceramic manufacturing before requiring compliance with the rule)
• S.1934, Alaska Remote Generator Reliability and Protection Act (legislation’s purpose is stated to prevent catastrophic failure or shutdown and promote diesel power engines due to emission control devices)

Witnesses at the Subcommittee hearing include:

• Paul Williams, Vice President of Business Intelligence, United States Stove Company

      Bridgeport, Alabama

• Christopher J. Kersting, President and Chief Executive Officer, Specialty Equipment Market Association

  Diamond Bar, California

• Davis Henry, President, Henry Brick Company

  Selma, Alabama

• Emily Hammond, Glen Earl Weston Research Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School

  Washington, D.C.

• John Walke, Clean Air Director, Natural Resources Defense Council

  Washington, D.C.

  A link to the bills and the witnesses prepared testimony can be found here.