Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions".

HJRES.35 (119th Congress)

Retrieved on 2025-05-15

Related Bills

SJRES.12 (119th Congress) - 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 "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions".
HRES.161 (119th Congress) - Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 20) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters"; providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions"; and providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.

Summary

This bill seeks to disapprove a recent rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that pertained to waste emissions charges specifically for petroleum and natural gas systems. The EPA's rule aimed to set forth procedures for compliance with emissions standards and included options for netting and possible exemptions for certain emissions. By passing this resolution, Congress effectively nullifies the EPA's rule, asserting its authority to overturn regulations that it finds objectionable, particularly those impacting the fossil fuel sector.

The implications of this bill are significant as it indicates Congress's willingness to intervene in environmental regulation, especially as it relates to the fossil fuel industry. This disapproval means that the previously established procedures by the EPA will not be implemented, leaving a gap in regulatory measures concerning waste emissions for these systems. Additionally, by removing the legal standing of this rule, Congress is signaling a potential shift in legislative priorities away from stringent environmental regulations.

Moreover, this action highlights ongoing tensions between environmental protection efforts and fossil fuel industry interests. Stakeholders in the fossil fuel sector may see this as a victory, reducing regulatory burdens, while environmental advocates are likely to view it as a setback in efforts to combat pollution and manage emissions effectively. The bill raises questions about future regulatory frameworks and compliance options that may be put in place by the EPA or Congress.

Implementation considerations will revolve around how the EPA chooses to reestablish regulation in this area following Congress's disapproval. There could be ongoing debates about the necessity and methods of regulating emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems, which are significant contributors to environmental degradation. Overall, the bill sets the stage for potential future legislative battles over the balance between industry support and environmental accountability.

Topics

energyenvironment

Questions About This Bill

How will this bill change the rules for companies that produce oil and gas?

This bill will change the rules for companies that produce oil and gas by saying they don't have to follow a specific rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about waste emissions. The old rule had certain requirements to help companies follow the law on pollution from their operations. Since Congress disapproved this rule, it will no longer apply, meaning those companies might have less regulation about how they manage waste emissions.

What happens to the EPA's rules about pollution from oil and gas if this bill passes?

If this bill passes, the rules created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about pollution from oil and gas will be canceled. This means that the EPA's guidelines for regulating waste and emissions from these companies will no longer be in effect, so those companies won't have to follow those specific rules anymore.

Will there be more pollution in my community because of this bill?

This bill says that Congress doesn't want to follow a rule made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that was meant to help control pollution from oil and gas companies. By rejecting this rule, it means that there won't be rules in place that could help reduce waste and pollution from those sources.

So, yes, it is likely that there will be more pollution in your community because of this bill, since it removes a way to control pollution from petroleum and natural gas systems.

Are there any exceptions for companies under this bill that could reduce their emissions charges?

The sections from the bill you provided don't give any information about exceptions for companies that could reduce their emissions charges. They mainly talk about disapproving a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency without explaining what alternatives or exemptions might be available. So, I can't confidently say if there are any exceptions based on this information.

How might this bill affect the air quality where I live?

This bill is saying that Congress does not agree with a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that was meant to help control pollution from oil and gas systems. Since the bill disapproves this rule, it means that there will be less strict rules on how much waste these companies can put into the air.

If you live in an area where there are oil and gas operations, this could make the air quality worse because there might be more pollution allowed than before. So, overall, the bill might lead to poorer air quality where you live.

What do fossil fuel companies think about this bill?

The bill is about Congress saying that they do not agree with a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that was meant to charge fossil fuel companies for waste emissions from their oil and gas operations. By disapproving this rule, Congress is making it so that this rule doesn’t have to be followed.

Fossil fuel companies likely think this bill is good for them because it means they won’t have to deal with extra charges or regulations that would have come from the EPA's rule. This makes it easier for them to operate without worrying about these costs.

Will the EPA have to create new rules if this bill is approved?

Yes, if this bill is approved, the EPA will have to create new rules. The bill disapproves an existing rule related to waste emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems, which means that rule won't be used anymore. Since that rule is canceled, the EPA will need to come up with new rules to handle waste emissions from those systems.

How does this bill impact the fight against climate change?

This bill is about Congress saying "no" to a new rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that was meant to help reduce pollution from oil and gas companies. By disapproving this rule, the bill stops any new actions that could help lower waste emissions from these companies.

So, in simple terms, this bill doesn't help the fight against climate change because it takes away a rule that could have helped to reduce harmful emissions from oil and gas systems. Instead of making things better for the environment, it keeps things the same or possibly makes them worse.

What can I do to stay informed about changes in environmental regulations because of this bill?

The bill is about stopping a specific rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that was meant to manage waste emissions from oil and gas systems. Since the bill disapproves this rule, it means that there won't be new regulations from the EPA based on that rule.

To stay informed about changes in environmental regulations because of this bill, you can:

  1. Follow the EPA's Website: Check their website regularly for news and updates.
  2. Watch the News: News articles or reports about environmental regulations often cover changes made by Congress.
  3. Talk to Adults: Ask your teachers or parents to help you find information about environmental rules.
  4. Follow Local Environmental Groups: They usually know about changes in regulations and can provide updates.

By doing these things, you'll be able to learn about any new developments related to environmental rules, including those affected by this bill.