Indy Standard

Congressmen Brett Guthrie and Gary Palmer have announced a hearing to discuss reforms in permitting under the Clean Air Act. The hearing, titled "From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act," is scheduled for September 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building. It will be open to the public and live-streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov.

Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer said that "red tape and burdensome permitting requirements are stifling U.S. economic growth and sending American jobs overseas." They emphasized the need to secure critical infrastructure and retain American jobs by examining outdated regulations disconnected from the Clean Air Act's goals.

The Subcommittee on Environment will review several bills during the hearing, including H.R. 161 (New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act), FIRE Act, RED Tape Act, FENCES Act, and Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act.

Clint Woods, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), testified on state-led implementation success under the Clean Air Act. Indiana has issued all key air permits promptly and improved air quality significantly since 2002. Woods highlighted challenges with federal overreach, noting that EPA actions often undermine state sovereignty by second-guessing state plans.

Woods supports legislative reforms like H.R. 161 to clarify facility modification permits and other acts aimed at reducing duplicative reviews and protecting areas from international pollution penalties. He also proposed additional reforms such as reauthorizing funding for state implementation grants and updating cost-benefit analysis requirements for EPA rulemaking.

In conclusion, Woods urged Congress to modernize the Clean Air Act, empower states in permitting processes without unnecessary federal interference, and support legislative reforms that reduce red tape while maintaining air quality progress.

For further inquiries about the hearing or press-related questions, contact Jackson Rudden or Ben Mullany via their provided emails.

Information from this article can be found here.