Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions".

Bill Number: H.J.Res. 35
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Environmental Protection
Status: Became Law
Became Law: Public Law 119-2
Latest Action: 2025-03-14: Became Public Law No: 119-2.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T15:43:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 35) uses the Congressional Review Act (a law allowing Congress to review and overturn certain federal agency rules) to disapprove a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. The goal is to prevent the rule from taking effect, thereby blocking new procedures aimed at helping the petroleum and natural gas industry comply with emissions charges.

Key Provisions

Disapproval of EPA Rule: The resolution explicitly disapproves the EPA's rule titled "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions," published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 91094).
Nullification: The rule is declared to have no legal force or effect, meaning it cannot be implemented or enforced.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution does not amend statutes but overrides an administrative rule under the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code). It halts the EPA's planned adjustments to compliance processes for waste emissions charges, which were designed to simplify reporting and provide exemptions or "netting" (a method to offset emissions across facilities). Without this disapproval, the rule would have built on prior EPA regulations from 2024 related to methane emissions from oil and gas operations.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The EPA loses authority to enforce this specific rule, potentially limiting its ability to regulate emissions in the short term and requiring it to redirect resources elsewhere.
On Citizens and Industry: Companies in the petroleum and natural gas sectors may face unchanged or stricter compliance burdens without the rule's facilitative measures, possibly increasing operational costs. Citizens and communities near these operations could see prolonged higher waste emissions (like methane, a potent greenhouse gas), affecting air quality and climate efforts, though no direct citizen benefits or burdens are specified.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but it could indirectly influence U.S. commitments under global climate agreements by slowing domestic reductions in oil and gas emissions.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Directly impacted as the rule's creator, facing a setback in regulatory implementation.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry: Primary beneficiaries or targets; the rule's blockage may preserve higher compliance hurdles but avoid new procedural complexities.
Environmental and Climate Advocacy Groups: Likely opposed, as the rule aimed to improve emissions tracking and reduction.
Congress and Taxpayers: Reinforces Congress's oversight role, with potential fiscal implications if emissions charges (a form of fee on excess emissions) are delayed.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Invokes the Congressional Review Act, a streamlined process for Congress to veto agency rules within a set window (typically 60 legislative days). Once passed and signed (or if a veto is overridden), the rule is permanently barred, and the EPA cannot issue a substantially similar one without new congressional approval.
Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, with Congress checking executive branch agencies like the EPA to ensure regulations align with legislative intent.
Political: Demonstrates bipartisan or partisan use of oversight tools in a new Congress (119th, starting 2025) to roll back prior administration rules, potentially signaling shifts in environmental policy priorities without altering underlying laws like the Clean Air Act.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Goldman, Craig [R-TX-12], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

Recent Actions

2025-03-14: Became Public Law No: 119-2.
2025-03-14: Became Public Law No: 119-2.
2025-03-14: Signed by President.
2025-03-14: Signed by President.
2025-03-04: Presented to President.
2025-03-04: Presented to President.
2025-02-27: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2025-02-27: Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 97. (consideration: CR S1419) (Roll call 97)
2025-02-27: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Received in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 97. (Roll call 97)
2025-02-26: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-02-26: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 206, 1 Present (Roll no. 52). (text: CR H846) (Roll call 52)
2025-02-26: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 206, 1 Present (Roll no. 52). (text: CR H846) (Roll call 52)
2025-02-26: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H859-860)
2025-02-26: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 35, the Chair put the question on passage of the joint resolution, and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2025-02-26: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Bill Versions

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions". — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (4 pages)
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions". — issued 2025-03-04 — PDF (1 pages)
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions". — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (2 pages)
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems: Procedures for Facilitating Compliance, Including Netting and Exemptions". — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (2 pages)