Bill > S3044

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to modify how air quality monitoring data is handled in relation to prescribed fires and exceptional events. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of "exceptional events" to include prescribed fires, which are defined as planned ignitions conducted in accordance with existing laws and regulations to meet specific management objectives. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to publish revised regulations within 270 days of enactment, after consulting with federal land managers, state air pollution control agencies, foresters, and wildlife agencies. These revisions will establish new guidelines for reviewing state determinations of air quality monitoring data influenced by prescribed fires or exceptional events. The bill also allows states more flexibility in demonstrating air quality standard compliance by enabling them to request review of data impacted by such events, including potential impacts on area designations and compliance determinations. Additionally, the bill provides a mechanism for multi-jurisdictional collaboration when exceptional events affect multiple state or tribal areas, allowing the EPA Administrator to conduct joint analyses when requested. A savings provision ensures that the bill does not retroactively change the status of stationary source emissions that were not previously considered exceptional events.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3044/all-info