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WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act. Subcommittee Chairman Palmer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good afternoon, I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s hearing entitled ‘From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act.’ “This hearing takes place at a critical moment for our country and the Committee. If we want to remain globally competitive, we need meaningful permitting reform. That cannot happen without modernizing the Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act now accounts for some of the most expensive and significant barriers in the modern permitting process. What’s worse, and what we will hear from the witnesses today, these outdated regulations fail to address the most significant sources of pollution and disincentivize companies from investing in cost-efficient and effective technology. “At the core of the Clean Air Act is the idea that we can protect our environment without sacrificing economic growth. In the decades since it passed, the Act was largely successful in accomplishing this goal. But that success is threatened by outdated provisions that do not function well today. “The Clean Air Act as it stands holds outdated provisions that punish American job creators for emissions they have no control over. “It discourages wildfire mitigation measures, threatening this country’s air quality. “It risks our economy and national security because of pollution that comes from outside of the U.S. “It threatens our ability to stay competitive in the global AI race. “Most importantly, it inhibits the United States’ ability to meet our domestic energy needs. “Americans care about clean air. They also care about rising electricity costs and our economy. They understand that excessive regulation and outdated statutes do not equate to good or effective regulation. They care about technological advancement and not punishing American companies who lead that advancement. “The witnesses we will hear from today have extensive experience with the challenges presented by these outdated provisions and are well suited to explain their impact. I look forward to their testimony and their feedback on the discussion drafts. “In June, we held our first hearing on the need to update the Clean Air Act. At that hearing, we heard testimony about the billion-dollar price tag from Clean Air Act regulations doing little to improve air quality and the state of our economy. “At that hearing, my colleagues across the aisle were critical of the proposals discussed because the reforms were discussed in prior Congresses. They challenged us to introduce novel ideas to reform the Clean Air Act. “It’s feedback we took seriously. “I encourage the panel of witnesses before us today to give us their best solutions for modernizing the Clean Air Act. Both novel and previously discussed. “Some of these solutions may not be novel. But our permitting problem isn’t novel either, and it is not getting better.”  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, led a hearing titled  From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act . “This was a vital opportunity for our Subcommittee to examine the issues surrounding the Clean Air Act and our nation’s critical infrastructure,”  said Chairman Palmer .  “During the hearing, we spoke with key witnesses who have seen the impact that overreaching regulations, which have become disconnected from the Clean Air Act, can have on American communities. Addressing these outdated and ineffective regulations through commonsense legislation will help onshore American jobs, reduce unreasonable regulatory burdens, and safeguard our environment.” Watch the full hearing  here .  Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02):  “If we want to beat China in the AI and advanced manufacturing race, we can’t regulate ourselves into industrial decline. The Clean Air Act permitting system is outdated, and projects that should be greenlit in months take years — if they happen at all — and companies that go beyond compliance to cut emissions, they get punished with additional red tape. Energy, like natural gas that has lowered emissions, becomes a boogeyman for the radical left. None of this overregulation makes our air cleaner. It kills investment, it delays cleaner technology, and it drives industry overseas, stifling American job growth in these vital sectors — and really just passing along pollution somewhere else.” Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13):  “The need for permitting reform has never been more pressing. I think you know that across the country, projects are stalled due to burdensome and unworkable regulations. Economic growth has been stunted by outdated provisions. It’s costing American jobs. It’s costing American energy, and it’s certainly threatening our national security. We continue to face the consequences of tightening regulations, despite the fact that U.S. emissions have consistently decreased over the past ten years, resulting in America’s air quality rating absolutely being among the best in the world. To keep America globally competitive, we must ensure that common sense, attainable standards prevail.” Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08):  “In Colorado, we know that roughly 70% of the emissions in the state don’t originate from the state of Colorado. And so, through things like the Clean Air Act, we heavily regulate the economy — but we’re not actually getting to the root of the problem—which is where these emissions are coming from. And what we end up doing is regulating the economy, losing jobs, losing the cost of living... And so, if you were in our position, what reforms would you prioritize in the permitting process so that our economy isn’t strangled by events outside of the control of?” Mr. Woods : “I think [this question] is a really timely one and one that is not limited to Colorado. And I think there are national solutions that already exist within the Clean Air Act, but also could be invigorated with action by this body.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – This week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is holding four Subcommittee Hearings and one Full Committee Markup. Read more below. SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy is holding a hearing to discuss building and appliance policies that could strengthen consumer choice, lower costs for American families, and make our electric grid more reliable. DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 2025  TIME: 10:15 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment is holding a hearing to discuss permitting reform under the Clean Air Act. DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 2025  TIME: 2:00 PM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP: The Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a markup of seven bills. DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 2025  TIME: 10:00 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Heath is holding a hearing to discuss legislation that improves seniors’ access to cutting-edge health innovation. DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2025  TIME: 9:30 AM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING: The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology is holding a hearing to discuss permitting reform for enhanced connectivity. DATE: Thursday, September 18, 2025  TIME: 2:00 PM ET  LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced a hearing titled From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act .  “Red tape and burdensome permitting requirements are stifling U.S. economic growth and sending American jobs overseas,” said Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer . “In order to secure our critical infrastructure and onshore American jobs, our Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine outdated and ineffective regulations that are disconnected from the goals of the Clean Air Act. Earlier in this Congress, our committee began important work on permitting reform and will continue that work in this hearing that will offer our members the chance to address these critical permitting issues that have limited growth and limit innovation. The Committee will take up legislation with common sense solutions that reduce unreasonable regulatory burdens while continuing to protect our environment.” Subcommittee on Environment hearing titled From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act. WHAT: Subcommittee on Environment hearing to discuss permitting reform under the Clean Air Act. DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 TIME: 2:00 PM ET LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building The hearing will focus on the following bills: H.R. 161 , New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act (Rep. Griffith)  H.R ____ , Fire Improvement and Reforming Exceptional Events Act (FIRE) Act  H.R ____ , Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act (RED Tape) Act H.R ____ , Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act H.R ____ , Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act This notice is at the direction of the Chairman. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at  energycommerce.house.gov .  If you have any questions concerning the hearing, please contact Jackson Rudden with the Committee staff at Jackson.Rudden@mail.house.gov . If you have any press-related questions, please contact Ben Mullany at  Ben.Mullany@mail.house.gov . ###

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – In case you missed it, Fox News recently published an article featuring a letter from Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, requesting information on California’s decision to continue imposing a de-facto EV mandate. In Case You Missed It: “In a sharp rebuke, a Kentucky congressman is pressing California’s top environmental agency for answers after learning the state may be ignoring Congress’ reversal of three key electric vehicle standards. “The House Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote to Sacramento that it is ‘concerned about reports that California, and other jurisdictions who have adopted California standards for which waivers of preemption have been granted, are enforcing preempted vehicle emission regulations in violation of the Clean Air Act.’ “Earlier this year, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to nullify Biden-era waivers granted by the Biden EPA to California, allowing them to implement stricter standards than the federal government. “Several states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, along with the District of Columbia, have adopted California’s low-emissions standards as well. “The Committee has been made aware that CARB staff is denying auto manufacturers approval to bring vehicles to market unless the manufacturers agree to comply with the preempted regulations,’ the committee continued. “Rep. Brett Guthrie, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a Republican, told Fox News Digital that the law is clear that the Golden State must end its ‘de-facto EV mandate.’ “Enforcing a ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles would have dire consequences for American families and businesses,’ Guthrie said. “Forcing Americans to buy these vehicles would strain our electric grid, raise costs, and increase our reliance on China. Our investigation will look into whether California is continuing to enforce an EV mandate in violation of federal law.’ Joining Guthrie on the letter were Reps. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., and John Joyce, R-Pa., chairmen of the environment and oversight subcommittees, respectively. “The committee acknowledged a lawsuit against the recissions from California Attorney General Robert Bonta remains ongoing, but that the intermission does not allow the state to continue enforcing mandates under the nixed waivers. In a June statement announcing the lawsuit, Bonta called the situation ‘reckless, politically motivated and illegal.’ “The letter, addressed to Dr. Steven Cliff, executive officer of the California Air Resources Board, said the committee had been purportedly made aware of CARB staff denying auto manufacturers’ approval to bring vehicles to market in the state ‘unless the manufacturers agree to comply with the preempted regulations.’ “These efforts include CARB staff indicating that the agency would deny California Executive Orders (EO) for model year 2026 vehicles that meet all of CARB’s enforceable regulatory requirements and which California allowed for sale in model year 2025, on the basis that these vehicles do not meet the additional requirements in one set of the preempted regulations: ACC-II.’ “The committee further alleges that CARB’s online ‘repository’ spreadsheet of model year 2026 vehicles showed the board has ‘exclusively approved’ vehicles that would certify under the ACC-II green regulations. “They closed by demanding documents showing whether CARB is continuing to enforce the car, truck or omnibus regulations Congress undid, and all records from the first of the year onward germane to the regulations and Biden-era waivers. “Fox News Digital reached out to CARB and Gov. Gavin Newsom for comment on accusations that the board is discriminating against certain vehicles.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, sent a letter to the California Air Resources Board, requesting information on California’s decision to continue imposing a de-facto EV mandate. “The law is clear California must put an end to its de-facto EV mandate. Enforcing a ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles would have dire consequences for American families and businesses,” said Chairman Guthrie. “Forcing Americans to buy these vehicles would strain our electric grid, raise costs, and increase our reliance on China. Our investigation will look into whether California is continuing to enforce an EV mandate in violation of federal law.” Read more about the letter from Fox News here . Key excerpts from the letter: “The Committee is concerned about reports that California, and other jurisdictions who have adopted California standards for which waivers of preemption have been granted, are enforcing preempted vehicle emission regulations in violation of the Clean Air Act.” “The Committee has been made aware that CARB staff is denying auto manufacturers approval to bring vehicles to market unless the manufacturers agree to comply with the preempted regulations.” Background: On June 12, 2025, President Trump signed three resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88, and H.J. Res 89, which collectively disapproved California’s waiver of preemption allowing the state to impose emission standards that effectively ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles. The CRA’s passed Congress with bipartisan support. The Clean Air Act clearly bans states from issuing their own emission standards unless EPA grants a waiver of federal preemption. Because the EPA’s waivers have been disapproved under the CRA, the California EV mandates are not allowed under the Clean Air Act. Despite three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions being signed into law this year that block California from implementing vehicle standards that ban the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks through its Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) II regulations, Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulations, and Omnibus Low NOx programs (the Omnibus) regulations, Committee staff have learned that California and other states are continuing to implement the preempted rules. Specifically, following formal disapproval of previously granted waivers due to the CRAs, California is reportedly refusing to certify automobiles that don’t meet the now-preempted standards, contrary to federal law, i.e., the Clean Air Act. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released a statement following the Environmental Protection Agency ’ s (EPA) proposal to roll back Obama and Biden-era regulations that have limited motor vehicle manufacturing and created a de-facto EV mandate for consumers for over a decade. “During the Obama-Biden and Biden-Harris Administrations, one-size-fits-all regulations were weaponized to create an EV mandate that limited consumer choice and increased costs for American businesses and consumers. “Over the past year, our Committee has led the way in Congress to address these issues including three Resolutions of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act which ensured California could not impose an EV mandate on consumers across the country and force automakers and consumers to align with their radical green policies,”  said Chairman Guthrie. “No country has reduced its emissions more than the United States over the course of the 21st century. That accomplishment came from innovation and investments, not federal mandates. Today’s decision by the EPA to reconsider impractical and unworkable vehicle standards is a victory for American families who want to choose the car or truck that is right for them—not what’s mandated by Washington bureaucrats.” Background: The so-called “endangerment finding” was issued in 2009 by the Obama-Biden Administration and is the basis for the vehicle emission rules issued by both the Obama-Biden and Biden-Harris administrations that imposed costly EV mandates that limited consumer choice and increased costs of newer vehicles. EPA’s proposal is based on recent Supreme Court decisions limiting the scope of regulatory agencies like EPA in accordance with Congressional authorities.

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, delivered the following opening statement at today's hearing titled Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth . Subcommittee Chairman Palmer's opening statement as prepared for delivery: “Good morning, and welcome to today’s subcommittee hearing entitled Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth. “Before we begin, I’d like to thank Chairman Guthrie for the opportunity to lead the Environment Subcommittee. I’d also like to thank Chairman Griffith for his excellent leadership of the Subcommittee and wish him the best as the new Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health. And to Ranking Member, Mr. Tonko, I look forward to working with you. “As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I focused on the importance of critical minerals to our national security and holding the Environmental Protection Agency accountable. I look forward to continuing that important work in this new role. “Waste and recycling are generally considered to be regional issues, regulated at the state and local level. However, we will hear testimony today about the national and economic security implications of recycling policy. “In his first days in office, President Trump emphasized the need to secure our critical mineral and material supply chains. We must use an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to ensuring our ability to access these critical minerals and materials, which is why electronic waste (e-waste) is so important for our future. “With the growth of data centers and use of technology, e-waste is accumulating at higher rates every year, with billions of dollars in losses as this technology reaches its end of life. E-waste is a commodity that can be repurposed in our fight to not only be energy independent, but energy dominant. “Let me be clear – we will not recycle our way out of these issues. However, as we look to build out our mining capacities, e-waste recycling innovation provides vital short and long-term support for our needs as a nation. “The President also issued an executive order on the importance of Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements. “As part of the negotiations for the global plastics treaty, the Biden-Harris administration announced support for bans on plastics and a cap on plastic production. That would not be in America’s interest. “I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about the role that American businesses can play in innovating and developing technologies to take advantage of the opportunities in the recycling industry. “The threat China poses to the United States and our allies cannot be overstated. We will hear from our witnesses today on how we can use recycling as a tool to compete with China and protect our communities. “Thank you to our witnesses for being here today. It is my understanding we have not had a hearing on this topic in some time, and I appreciate my colleagues engaging on this important issue. I look forward to our discussion.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, led a hearing titled Beyond the Blue Bin: Forging a Federal Landscape for Recycling Innovation and Economic Growth. “It’s time to ensure that government red tape isn’t preventing investments in new technologies and methods that can help support recycling here at home. Today’s hearing was an opportunity to discuss these issues and look at long term solutions that support both mechanical and advanced recycling here in the United States,” said Chairman Palmer. “Finding ways to harness e-waste recycling will be critical as we look to find new sources of critical materials to support our economy and national security, and we cannot afford to let these vital materials go to waste.”   Watch the full hearing here . Below are key excerpts from today’s hearing: Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02): “I think we’re on the same page we want to strive to build a more innovative economy that incorporates advanced recycling and revitalizes American manufacturing. We need two key elements: clear rules at home and strong leadership abroad. First, we have to provide regulatory clarity and certainty, this is essential for innovation for investment and for scaling domestic recycling infrastructure. You can’t build the future on a regulatory framework that is often shaped by climate alarmism and instead of commonsense.”   Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01): “It’s an economic and a national security imperative, as well as an environmental issue. Iowa’s manufacturing sector depends on recycled materials as feedstocks, yet we're watching China and other competitors purchase our scrap at above market prices while our own factory struggled to source domestic materials. The data shows we're landfilling millions of tons of valuable manufactured materials every year — materials that should be creating jobs and strengthening supply chains right here in America. In Iowa alone, we're capturing less than half of our aluminum cans and only 15% of our steel cans — despite having to deposit on aluminum cans. That's not just waste, it's a lost economic opportunity for our manufacturers and increased dependence on foreign suppliers.” Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (TN-01): “We use plastic in everything. We store our food that way. We use it in medicine. You can't walk into my pharmacy and not see syringes. We use a lot of plastic, but when we're talking about the future of plastics, we need to work towards making a more circular economy. My district is home to Eastman Chemical Company and it's the largest dedicated advanced recycling facility in the world. In Kingsport, Eastman’s been taking plastics that normally would go into the landfill and then instead use the materials for the recycling process, and they can convert them and create new plastic materials that have the same quality and integrity as plastics that were made directly from petrochemicals.” ###