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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, led a Full Committee Business Meeting to enact new subcommittee leadership and changes to subcommittee membership.   The following changes to Subcommittee leadership and rosters were enacted:  Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) will leave the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health to focus on other priorities.  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment.  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) has been appointed to Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) has been appointed to Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health.  The new Subcommittee Rosters are as follows:  Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade:  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Vice Chairman  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:  Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Energy:  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)   Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Environment:  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)    Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Health:  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vice Chair  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)    Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations:  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman  Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)  Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman-Designate of the Subcommittee on Health, announced a hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines.   "These vital public health programs play a critical role in improving health care for Americans,” said Chairman Guthrie and Chairman-Designate Griffith . “Programs like the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program are crucial to ensure patient access to safe over-the-counter products. The Health Subcommittee remains committed to priorities like bolstering health care workforce development, as well as lifting up rural communities to ensure all Americans can live healthier lives."   Subcommittee on Health hearing titled Legislative Proposals to Maintain and Improve the Public Health Workforce, Rural Health, and Over-the-Counter Medicines.   WHAT: Subcommittee on Health Hearing on Preserving Access to Timely and Affordable Care.  DATE: Wednesday, July 16, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.  This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at energycommerce.house.gov . If you have any questions concerning this hearing, please contact Annabelle Huffman at Annabelle.Huffman@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Katie West at Katie.West@mail.house.gov .   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, issued the following statement in response to a letter from Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) announcing his resignation of the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health.  "It’s been a pleasure working alongside Health Subcommittee Chairman Buddy Carter, who has been a long-time champion of increasing Americans’ access to care,” said Chairman Guthrie . “We thank you for your leadership on the Subcommittee on Health and your continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of Americans. I wish you well in your future endeavors and look forward to your continued work on the Health Subcommittee . ” As a result of this vacancy, Chairman Guthrie announced new Subcommittee leadership and changes to Subcommittee memberships.   The following changes to Subcommittee leadership and rosters will be enacted:   Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) will leave the Chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Health to focus on other priorities.  Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment.  Rep. John Joyce (PA-13) has been appointed to Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) has been appointed to Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) has been appointed to Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Health.  The new Subcommittee Rosters are as follows:   Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade:   Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Vice Chairman  Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Communications and Technology:   Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)   Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Energy:   Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)   Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Craig Goldman (TX-12)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Environment:   Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Vice Chairman  Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05)    Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)   Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08)   Rep. Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Health:   Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Vice Chair  Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)   Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01)   Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02)    Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13)   Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12)   Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01)   Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03)   Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23)   Rep. John James (MI-10)   Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02)   Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09)   Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23)   Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)    Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations:   Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Chairman  Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice Chairman  Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06)  Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)  Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14)  Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)  Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01)  Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)  Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06)  Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Ex-Officio  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following op-ed by Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, appeared in the Washington Examiner this week.   “The intense heat wave battering the United States pushes America’s electric grid to the brink and could lead to power outages. But House Republicans offer a policy change that bolsters the grid and helps protect the public from blackout threats.   “Communities across much of the country face scorching temperatures, prompting power companies to take notice and act accordingly.   “In my part of Virginia, local power companies affiliated with the Tennessee Valley Authority are encouraging their customers to reduce electricity use. This request appears to be based on an announcement from the TVA.   “Alerts of possible breaking points in America’s electric grid are not unique to the TVA and are, unfortunately, becoming more and more frequent.   “The Friday before Memorial Day, Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued an emergency order directing the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the Midwest grid operator, to keep a coal-fired power plant in Michigan in operation. These emergency actions are authorized for up to 90 days at a time under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act.   “Wright issued the order to minimize the risk of blackouts ahead of the high electricity demand expected this summer.   “MISO runs north to south from Manitoba and Michigan down to Louisiana and a portion of East Texas.   “Notwithstanding keeping the plant in Michigan open, the New Orleans metro area suffered a large and unexpected power outage during Memorial Day weekend. At the blackout’s peak, more than 100,000 customers lost electricity.   “Utilities knew high demand was likely that weekend, but they had no extra power capacity. When one plant went down, their customers were plunged into darkness.   “Reports confirmed that two of the region’s nuclear power plants lost connection to the grid. One was due to expected maintenance, while the other was unexpected. Constrained by a lack of energy supply, grid operators cut power to customers in New Orleans.   “Entergy, an electric utility company in the region, said that the forced outages directed by MISO were done to prevent a larger-scale and more prolonged power outage from affecting the electric grid.   “This blackout was not the only major power outage in recent memory.   “On April 28, Portugal and Spain witnessed the worst blackout in their history, affecting 55 million people, per the Guardian.   “Airports shut down, cars drove on streets without traffic lights, hospitals resorted to backup generators, and some people were stuck in elevators.   “The Iberian Peninsula blackout continues to be investigated. Lots of finger-pointing is going on between Spain’s grid operator, the government, and plant operators. But it is interesting to note that on April 16, Spain reported its first weekday when its national power grid was 100% reliant on renewable power.   “A coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.   “Coincidentally, in a recent Virginia Tech press release, professor and Power and Energy Center Director Ali Mehrizi-Sani highlighted how the systems that control these clean energy sources are more susceptible to blackouts.   “As parts of the world transition to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, the lack of seamless grid adaptation to the use of these sources, as illustrated by the blackouts in Spain and Portugal and by experts like Mehrizi-Sani, threatens the destabilization of electric grids and could lead to more blackouts.   “Leftist policies that attempted to gut our grid’s reliance on fossil fuels and convert to renewables have pushed America’s electric grid to the brink.   “Federal policies, like the Obama-era ‘War on Coal’ and the Biden administration’s so-called Inflation Reduction Act, shunning reliable baseload forms of energy like coal and natural gas have made our electric grid more vulnerable to failure.    “But House Republicans offer a policy change that levels the playing field and openly welcomes baseload power.   “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act curtails some Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, which disincentivize coal and natural gas power plants. We maintain the incentives for nuclear because of its significant potential for baseload power.   “The bill also creates an energy project insurance pool to help protect energy investors from permits being revoked for coal, oil, critical minerals, natural gas, or nuclear installations.   “This derisking compensation fund will make it harder for federal policies to discourage and phase out these reliable energy sources.   “As extreme summer heat continues to pose the threat of power outages, we must secure and equip our electric grid with reliable energy solutions.   “We do not need to follow in Spain’s footsteps and make Iberian Peninsula-style blackouts the norm.   “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act helps the public avoid blackout threats by instituting reliable forms of baseload power.”   ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing titled A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash. Subcommittee Chairman Griffith’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Today, this Subcommittee will examine coal ash management practices and innovative ways people are utilizing coal waste.  “Coal, historically, has played a major role in keeping our lights on and powering our large industries.  “Currently, there are over 200 coal-fired electric power plants in the United States and a fair amount of industrial boilers that use coal for fuel.  “Coal’s fuel storage attributes and its dispatchable power qualities continue to make it a crucial component of our domestic electric power mix.  “Today’s hearing will focus on one of the byproducts of coal use, coal combustion residuals, commonly referred to as CCR or “coal ash.”  “The Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, first began regulating coal combustion residuals from electric utilities in 2014, under its Resource Conservation and Recovery Act or ‘RCRA’, Subtitle D authority, to regulate solid waste.  “In 2016, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act amended RCRA to grant the EPA the authority to approve state CCR permit programs if a state chose to run its own program.  “However, nearly a decade later, only three state programs have been approved.  “Hopefully, today we will learn more about states’ permitting programs, and how EPA is using its CCR permitting approval authority.  “Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris administration pressed necessary coal ash regulations into its wider attempts to force a transition to renewable energy by imposing unreasonable and onerous regulations on disfavored traditional energy resources, like coal.  “This war on coal included a 2024 rule regulating INACTIVE coal combustion residuals storage sites, or legacy impoundments, as well as sites where coal ash had PREVIOUSLY been placed, known as coal combustion residuals management units.  “Utilities warned that this unworkable rule would impose needless and unplanned costs on ratepayers.  “Today, we will learn more about the problems with the current regulatory landscape and the costs it imposes on power generation and in-turn, ratepayers.  “Thankfully, in March of this year, the EPA announced that it is reviewing this rule and plans to propose amendments within the next year.  “Additionally, EPA has also announced it plans to prioritize working with states on their permit programs to hopefully facilitate more state management of coal ash disposal.  “I’m encouraged by the Trump administration’s apparent willingness to listen to the states and their utilities and hope the EPA can work with them, and not against them, as partners in protecting our environment.  “I also hope to learn more today on opportunities to improve the reuse of coal byproducts.  “In addition to this primary use, coal byproducts can be reused for many purposes, such as cement manufacturing, drywall manufacturing, road paving, and producing concrete.  “This recycling, known as “beneficial use,” can not only save costs but also result in lower emissions.  “Many may be surprised to hear that there is a thriving coal ash reuse industry in the United States. According to the American Coal Ash Association, 69 percent of all coal ash produced in 2023 was recycled.  “In addition to these established uses in construction, agriculture, waste management, and mining, new uses are emerging.  “For example, research from the University of Texas found that as much as 11 million tons of rare earth elements could be found in accessible coal ash in the United States.  “In fact, researchers from Virginia Tech, located in my district and where one of my children graduated, one is attending, and one hopes to attend, they are leading projects to analyze the presence of critical minerals and rare earth elements in coal byproducts.   “According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States currently relies on imports for 80 percent of its supply of rare earth elements, with 70 percent of those imports coming from China.  “Our regulatory policy for coal combustion residuals management must facilitate continued beneficial use.  “I look forward to today’s discussion of how we can address shortcomings of our current approach to coal combustion residuals management and innovation in how our country deals with waste.”  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a hearing titled A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash “While coal has played a significant role in our nation's energy sector, coal ash also holds untapped value. From its use in construction materials, such as cinder block, to the potential for remining critical materials, coal ash is a resource that we cannot afford to waste,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith. “This hearing will offer a chance to examine the past decade of coal ash regulations as well as how government red tape and bureaucracy can stifle innovation surrounding the use of coal ash, and what steps can be taken to ensure it remains available and is used safely and effectively in the coming years." Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled A Decade Later: A Review of Congressional Action, Environmental Protection Agency Rules, and Beneficial Use Opportunities for Coal Ash. WHAT: Subcommittee on Environment hearing to discuss how coal ash can be used safely and effectively in construction as well for the remining of critical materials. DATE: June 26, 2025 TIME: 10:15 AM ET LOCATION: 2322 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. This hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov. If you have any questions about this hearing please contact Calvin Huggins at Calvin.Huggins1@mail.house.gov . If you have any press related questions please contact Ben Mullany at Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing titled Short-Circuiting Progress: How the Clean Air Act Impacts Building Necessary Infrastructure and Onshoring American Innovation. “Today’s hearing made it clear that bureaucratic red tape has limited our ability to expand American manufacturing,” said Chairman Griffith. “As we heard from our witnesses, Congress needs to take commonsense actions to ensure the Clean Air Act works as intended while not hampering our country’s retention of steady, well-paying jobs, or limiting our ability to lead in manufacturing innovation.” Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01): “Balancing America's air quality with economic development begins with implementing common sense legislation. I think we would all agree on that. The EPA reviews the national ambient air quality standards, and on, on a five-year interval after establishing a national ambient air quality standard states assumed the primary responsibility for implementing it and enforcing these rules. This is an extremely time-consuming process, one that takes years and years. I've got a bill. It's called the CLEAR Act. Now we give states the time needed to implement standards without rushing the process, and I think that's very important. This bill also allows states the opportunity to correct deficiencies found by EPA and state implementation plans for NAAQS before EPA can issue a federal implementation plan. The CLEAR Act offers common sense solutions to make containing clean air standards realistic while giving states the time necessary to comply. Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13): “Important context for this hearing is understanding that America's air quality is among the best in the world, and that the U.S. emissions have steadily decreased over the past several decades, even as economic input and output has changed. We observed this trend because of the fact that reasonable clean air standards lead to economic growth and that this economic growth spurs innovation and investment in technology that ultimately reduces emissions without sacrificing output. We need to balance public health and clean air goals with the reality that unattainable standards will not only hurt the American economy, but also disincentivize development of the more efficient technologies necessary to continue to lower U.S. emissions.” Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01): “The United States has proven that environmental progress and economic growth aren't mutually exclusive. We've dramatically improved air quality while expanding energy output in Iowa, our farmers and manufacturers rely on stable smart policy to keep innovating and growing and also to compete economically around the globe. As we look to the future. any new regulations must support, not stifle, the backbone industries of our heartland.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled  Short-Circuiting Progress: How The Clean Air Act Impacts Building Necessary Infrastructure And Onshoring American Innovation. Subcommittee Chairman Griffith's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Today, this Subcommittee begins its efforts to modernize the Clean Air Act.  “The Act was last amended in a consequential way in 1990 with Energy and Commerce Chair, John Dingell, being a driving force in that bicameral compromise.  “The Clean Air Act has already been effective.  “According to EPA’s 2023 Air Quality statistics report, since the Clean Air Act amendments were passed in 1990, there has been a 79 percent reduction in Carbon Monoxide, a 92 percent reduction in Sulfur Dioxide or SOx, and a 55 percent reduction in Nitrogen Dioxide or NOx.  “Since 2000, we’ve seen a 42 percent reduction in Particulate Matter 2.5, which are inhalable particles measuring less than two and a half micrometers. “The Clean Air Act’s National Attainment Air Quality Standards standard setting and permitting programs, with each new review, EPA generally sets new lower pollution allowances, over time, these newer standards have had the tendency to pass the point of diminishing returns. “Accordingly, If you’re an industrial plant wanting to build in this country, you may have to wait until another plant goes out of business and you can take over their permit.  “That is not a path to economic prosperity. “Additionally, I don’t believe that banning new industrial activity in the United States was what the authors of the Clean Air Act were aiming for. “It was a tough compromise bill meant to have each state scrutinize major sources and think about air permit planning, industry concentration, and air quality in unfavorable geographic settings. “The Act was written to get industry to reexamine its operations and control pollution by investing in, and implementing, innovative technologies. “It worked, but now we need to examine the law in light of little additional public health gain at the expense of paralyzing nationally important industries.  “We need to begin a modernization effort by examining draft legislative proposals to reform the out-of-date NAAQS process.  “As we heard in our recent full Committee hearing, overly restrictive air regulations have curtailed some domestic investment in semiconductor plants and data centers, which in turn could jeopardize America’s ability to compete in the global Artificial Intelligence race. “One of the draft bills we are discussing today would improve the processes EPA uses to identify NAAQS pollutants and ceilings. “And then, for states to implement those new standards.  “Under the Clean Air Act’s NAAQS program, the EPA sets standards for six criteria pollutants like ground-level ozone and particulate matter.  “Historically, the Clean Air Act required EPA to review NAAQS standards and if appropriate, issue new limits, at five-year intervals.  “The EPA has consistently missed statutory deadlines for both reviewing standards and for providing implementation guidance to states which has led to litigation in some cases. “These proposals will enable more reasonable requirements that states can actually implement. “This is why the Clean Air Act and Economic Advancement Reform Act that we are talking about today would lengthen that interval to 10 years and allow the EPA Administrator to consider whether it was likely the standard can actually be attained.  “Additionally, the bill would require the EPA to consider the economic feasibility of these standards.  “The bill would also allow for naturally occurring air pollution events, such as wildfires, to not count against NAAQS emission averages for a state.  “The other bill, the Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvements Act has to do more specifically with the most recent PM 2.5 rule that really would cripple a lot of industry by reducing that limit from 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air to 9 micrograms per cubic meter of air. “Further, it allows for an easier preconstruction permitting process. “Protecting our environment and our economy do not have to be mutually exclusive goals, but in order to achieve both, we must rethink how our country classifies pollution levels outside our control.  “The EPA is still in the process of updating various air quality standards. “As that work continues, Congress must ensure states and employers aren’t unfairly penalized by impractical or burdensome new rules which could hurt our national security and our economic competitiveness. “I look forward to learning more from our expert witnesses who have extensive experience in implementing, and complying with NAAQS standards under the Clean Air Act.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a hearing titled  Short-Circuiting Progress: How the Clean Air Act Impacts Building Necessary Infrastructure and Onshoring American Innovation. “American innovation should not be stifled by unreasonable government red tape and regulatory overreach. Over the years we saw how regulations have gone far beyond their original intent, chilling investments and pushing manufacturing overseas,”  said Chairmen Guthrie and Griffith .  “This hearing offers a chance to examine ways that Congress can take steps to make environmental statutes more workable, increase domestic manufacturing, and support American jobs.” Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled  Short-Circuiting Progress: How the Clean Air Act Impacts Building Necessary Infrastructure and Onshoring American Innovation WHAT:  Subcommittee on Environment hearing to discuss how the Clean Air Act impacts building infrastructure and onshoring American innovation and potential legislative solutions. DATE:  June 11, 2025 TIME:  10:15AM LOCATION:  2322 Rayburn House Office Building This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. This hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed at energycommerce.house.gov. If you have any questions about this hearing please contact Calvin Huggins at  Calvin.Huggins1@mail.house.gov . If you have any press related questions please contact Ben Mullany at  Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov .  ###