Documents

Environmental Reauthorizations and Regulatory Reform: From the 104th Congress through the 106th

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Dec 27, 2000

The first environmental reauthorization bill considered by the 104th Congress was H.R. 961, amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA). … In November 1996, EPA proposed tightening ozone and particulate standards under the Clean Air Act, which requires EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards on the basis of health.

“Waters of the United States” (WOTUS): Current Status of the 2015 Clean Water Rule

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Dec 12, 2018

://archive.epa.gov/epa/sites/production/files/2014-03/ documents/wus_request_rulemaking.pdf). 20 EPA, Clean Water Rule Response to Comments—Topic 1: General Comments, pp. 90-133, https://www.epa.gov/ cwa … On July 12, 2018, the Corps and EPA published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify, supplement, and seek additional comment on the agencies’ proposed repeal.36 The public comment period

Congressional Court Watcher: Recent Appellate Decisions of Interest to Lawmakers (Feb. 6–Feb. 12, 2023)

Congressional research report · CRS Report Type LSB · Feb 14, 2023

The court held that New Mexico merely submitted a comment to the Commission regarding the license and so was not an “aggrieved party” sufficient to trigger jurisdiction under the Hobbs Act and Atomic Energy … ambient air quality standards under the Clean Air Act.

Agriculture and Forestry Provisions in Climate Change Legislation (S. 3036)

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Jun 3, 2008

This type of market-based approach to GHG reductions and trading would be similar to the acid rain reduction program established by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.1 Among the cap-and-trade proposals … Comments and presentation by Michael Grubb, Chief Economist of the Carbon Trust, during a Congressional staff briefing, February 29, 2008.

Environmental Effects of Battery Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Jun 16, 2020

For example, the Clean Air Act (CAA) seeks to reduce air pollution in the United States, specifically requiring fuels and vehicles to produce fewer emissions. … See, for example, CRS Report R45451, Clean Air Act Issues in the 116th Congress, by James E. McCarthy, Kate C. Shouse, and Richard K.

Legislative Approaches to Chemical Facility Security

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Jul 12, 2006

For an example from the Clean Air Act, see CRS Report RS21608 Clean Air and New Source Review: Defining Routine Maintenance by (name redacted). … For example, while some suggest that the existing Clean Air Act provisions could already allow the EPA to regulate chemical facilities for security issues, others suggest that the Clean Air Act may not

Energy and Water Development: FY2022 Appropriations

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Jun 7, 2022

This would provide the Air Force with an alternative warhead if the W87-1 FPU is delayed. … Notes: Funding for the federal regional commissions and authorities in the IIJA has varying periods of availability.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): FY2017 President’s Budget Request

Congressional research report · CRS In Focus · Apr 6, 2016

In addition to funding levels, several recent and pending EPA regulatory actions—most notably those that address GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act and the definition of “waters of the United States … ” under the Clean Water Act—have again been among the areas of debate during the deliberations on EPA’s budget request.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Background and Issues in the 107th Congress

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Nov 27, 2002

Many POPs are transported in the air and water across international boundaries. … A copy of that 8 The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was amended by the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996.

Natural Gas in the U.S. Economy: Opportunities for Growth

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Nov 6, 2012

In August 2012, EPA promulgated regulations under the authority of the Clean Air Act (CAA) that establish new air emissions standards for hydraulically fractured gas wells and other oil and gas production … The public comment period closed September 10, 2012, and the BLM is now reviewing comments.

Water Infrastructure Projects Designated in EPA Appropriations: Trends and Policy Implications

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Oct 30, 2014

(These project authorizations were in Title V of the WQA, which did not specifically amend the Clean Water Act.) … In the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500, popularly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA)), Congress revised the existing federal clean water law, including provisions related

Five-Year Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program: Status and Issues in Brief

Congressional research report · Reports · Jul 29, 2026

A comment period closed on January 23, 2026. … during formal comment periods, by evaluating programs in committee oversight hearings, and, more directly, by enacting legislation with program requirements.67 For example, Members submitted public comments

Inflation Reduction Act Methane Emissions Charge: Overview and Considerations for Policymakers

Congressional research report · Reports · Apr 15, 2026

Among other provisions, IRA amended the Clean Air Act (CAA) by adding Section 136. Section 136 directs the U.S. … In the accompanying joint explanatory statement, Congress directed EPA to “use its existing authority under the Clean Air Act” to promulgate this rule.

Tax Provisions in the Build Back Better Act: Rules Committee Print 117-18

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Nov 9, 2021

Clean Air Act), as compared with petroleum-based jet fuel. … Part 8—Incentives for Clean Electricity and Clean Transportation Clean Electricity Production Credit Section 136801 This provision would create a new clean electricity production tax credit (PTC).

Aging Infrastructure: Dam Safety

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Mar 25, 2008

Formal inspections are generally conducted after major seismic or weather events, and on a periodic basis. As described below, the frequency and type of periodic inspections varies across agencies. … Water/Clean Air Bond Act $17M bonding Municipality for dam safety projects OH Revolving loan fund Ohio Water Development Authority Revolving loan fund Owner must be under mandate from ODNR.

Water Quality Issues in the 112th Congress: Oversight and Implementation

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Jan 3, 2013

as the Clean Water Act, or CWA. … While particular attention has been paid to the Clean Air Act, a number of EPA’s initiatives concerning the CWA also received scrutiny.22 Chesapeake Bay Restoration Despite several decades of activity

Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) for Steam Electric Power Plants

Congressional research report · In Focus · Mar 26, 2025

Updated March 26, 2025 Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) for Steam Electric Power Plants Overview The Clean Water Act (CWA) prohibits the discharge of pollutants from any point source into “waters … For example, improvements in air pollution control technologies since 1982, particularly at coal-fired power plants, reduced air pollutant emissions but transferred some of these pollutants to liquid wastestreams

Surface Transportation Program Reauthorization Issues for Congress

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Sep 11, 2015

The CMAQ Program FHWA’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program was created to fund projects that help states meet certain air quality standards established under the Clean Air … Information on various requirements related to Clean Air Act compliance, including information about the CMAQ program, is provided by FHWA’s Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty on its “Air Quality

Natural Gas Appliances, Energy Policy, and Federalism: Who Is in Charge?

Congressional research report · Legal Sidebar · Jul 20, 2026

air quality management agency that required zero emissions of certain pollutants from stationary sources of emissions, including appliances, to comply with a Clean Air Act requirement intended to reduce … The court concluded that EPCA Congressional Research Service 5 did not impliedly repeal the regulatory authority granted to states and local governments by the Clean Air Act.

Small Hydro and Low-Head Hydro Power Technologies and Prospects

Congressional research report · CRS Report · Mar 1, 2010

Foremost among these are H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, and S. 1462, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009. … These include H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, and S. 1462, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009.