Congressional Review of EPA’s West Virginia Regional Haze Rule: A Detailed Look at S.J. Res. 64
Washington D.C. – On July 24, 2025, at 1:23 AM EST, GovInfo.gov published S.J. Res. 64 (IS), a resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 of the United States Code. This resolution specifically targets a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the Air Plan Approval for West Virginia, focusing on the Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for the Second Implementation Period.
This legislative action signifies a critical juncture in the oversight of environmental regulations, allowing Congress to formally review and potentially overturn a rule issued by the EPA. Regional haze refers to the degradation of visibility caused by air pollutants that travel over long distances. The EPA’s State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are designed to address these issues and ensure compliance with national ambient air quality standards.
S.J. Res. 64 (IS) falls under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a statute that grants Congress the authority to review and, if desired, nullify new regulations issued by federal agencies. Under the CRA, once a rule is submitted to Congress, there is a period during which either chamber can pass a joint resolution of disapproval. If enacted, such a resolution would prevent the agency from implementing the rule and generally prohibit the issuance of a substantially similar rule in the future, unless explicitly authorized by subsequent legislation.
The specific focus on West Virginia’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for its Second Implementation Period suggests that the resolution is addressing the EPA’s approval or disapproval of the state’s plan to address regional haze. This could involve various emission control measures for industrial facilities, power plants, and other sources of air pollution within the state. The details of the EPA’s rule, which S.J. Res. 64 (IS) seeks to overturn, would outline the specific requirements and expectations for West Virginia in its efforts to improve air quality and visibility.
The introduction of S.J. Res. 64 (IS) indicates a divergence of opinion between the EPA’s regulatory approach and the perspective of the sponsors of this resolution in Congress. Such disagreements often stem from differing economic considerations, interpretations of scientific data, or preferred methods for achieving environmental goals. The resolution’s passage would necessitate further debate and a vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to become law.
This development underscores the ongoing dialogue between regulatory agencies and legislative bodies concerning the implementation and impact of environmental policies. The public, stakeholders, and industries within West Virginia, as well as those concerned with air quality nationwide, will be closely monitoring the progress of S.J. Res. 64 (IS) as it navigates the legislative process. The outcome will have significant implications for West Virginia’s environmental strategy and the broader framework for managing regional haze across the United States.
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www.govinfo.gov published ‘S.J. Res. 64 (IS) – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to Air Plan Approval; West Virginia; Regional Haze State Implementation Plan for the Second Implementation Period.’ at 2025-07-24 01:23. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.