Today, in response to growing concerns of unrealistic regulations on Boiler MACT, a bipartisan group of Representatives introduced H.R. 2250, the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011.  The legislation has four Democratic co-sponsors including Representatives Butterfield (NC-01), Barrow (GA-12), Ross (AR-04), and Matheson (UT-02), and four Republican co-sponsors including  Representatives Griffith (VA-09), McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Scalise (LA-01), and Olson (TX-22).

H.R. 2250 would:

  • Stay the four final rules and provide the EPA with at least 15 months to re-propose and finalize new rules;
  • Extend compliance deadlines from 3 to at least 5 years to allow facilities adequate time to comply with the standards and install necessary equipment;
  • Direct the EPA, when developing the new rules, to adopt definitions that allow sources to use a wide range of alternative fuels; and
  • Direct the EPA to ensure that the new rules are achievable by real-world boilers, process heaters, and incinerators and impose the least burdensome regulatory alternatives consistent with the President’s Executive Order 13563.

In addition to petitioning the EPA for an Administrative stay of the rules, the NAM has also advocated on Capitol Hill for a legislative stay and additional time to re-propose the rules. The NAM will work to obtain additional cosponsors on this legislation in the coming weeks.

Read more in today’s coverage on H.R. 2250:

National Journal: House Pushes Boiler Standards Bill; Action Uncertain in Senate
New York Times:  New House Bill Would Delay Air Pollution Rules for Boilers
The Hill: House Lawmakers Float Bill to Delay, Alter EPA Boiler Rule

Alicia Meads is Director of Energy and Natural Resources Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers