Clean Air Issues in the 110th Congress: Climate Change, Air Quality Standards, and Oversight

Publication Date: August 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

Attention to environmental issues in the 110th Congress focused early and heavily on climate change ­ the state of the science, and whether (and, if so, how) to address greenhouse gas emissions. Five bills had been introduced to establish caps on greenhouse gas emissions as of early March, and hearings on climate change have been held by at least seven committees. The Speaker of the House set a June deadline for House committee action on legislation, and established a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to highlight the issue.

Three of the five greenhouse gas bills introduced as of this writing would amend the Clean Air Act, establishing a new Title VII to address the issue. More such legislation, as well as free-standing legislation, is likely to be introduced as the session continues. Whether or not climate change legislation would amend the Clean Air Act, climate change hearings and markup are among the highest expressed priorities in the coming months for the committees that have jurisdiction over air issues (principally the Senate Environment and Public Works and House Energy and Commerce Committees).

Other clean air issues are less likely to be the main focus of attention, but they may be addressed, especially through oversight of Administration actions. In general, EPA regulatory and procedural actions are likely to be more subject to scrutiny in this Congress, given its intention to reinvigorate the oversight function.