To nullify the final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; and Repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule".
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1651
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-18T08:06:37Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, H.R. 1651, aims to cancel (or "nullify") a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants using fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. The rule in question regulates emissions from new, modified, reconstructed, and existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units, and it also repeals a previous rule called the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. By nullifying this EPA action, the bill seeks to prevent these new emission standards from taking effect.
Key Provisions
- Nullification of EPA Rule: The bill's single section declares that the EPA's final rule, published on May 9, 2024 (in the Federal Register at 89 Fed. Reg. 39798), has "no force or effect." This means the rule cannot be enforced or implemented.
- The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025, by Representative Balderson and several co-sponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for review.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill would directly override the EPA's 2024 rule, which had replaced the less stringent Affordable Clean Energy Rule from 2019. Without this nullification, the EPA rule would impose stricter performance standards and guidelines to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (like carbon dioxide) from power plants.
- It invokes the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law allowing Congress to disapprove recent agency rules with a simple majority vote and presidential signature (or veto override). If passed, it would prevent the EPA from reissuing a "substantially similar" rule without new congressional authorization.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The EPA would lose authority to enforce these emission standards, potentially shifting regulatory focus back to state-level or voluntary measures. This could reduce the agency's workload but limit its ability to address climate change through federal rules.
- On Citizens: Communities near power plants might face unchanged or higher pollution levels, affecting air quality and health (e.g., respiratory issues from emissions). However, it could help keep energy costs lower by avoiding upgrades required under the rule.
- On International Relations: By blocking federal emission reductions, the U.S. might face criticism from global climate partners (e.g., under the Paris Agreement), potentially weakening its position in international environmental negotiations.
- Broader economic effects could include stabilized operations for fossil fuel-dependent regions, but delayed progress on climate goals.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Fossil Fuel Industry and Utilities: Power plant operators (e.g., coal and gas-fired facilities) benefit from avoiding costly retrofits or shutdowns to meet emission limits.
- Environmental Groups and Climate Advocates: They would likely oppose the bill, as it hinders efforts to reduce greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
- EPA and Federal Regulators: The agency faces a direct rollback of its authority on clean air rules.
- Consumers and Workers: Electricity users in fossil fuel-heavy states could see stable or lower bills, while workers in transitioning energy sectors (e.g., renewables) might face uncertainty.
- States and Local Governments: States with heavy reliance on fossil fuels (e.g., West Virginia, Texas) gain flexibility, while environmentally focused states may need to pursue their own regulations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on the CRA for fast-track disapproval, which has a 60-day window from rule submission to Congress (this bill targets a 2024 rule, so timing is key). If enacted, it sets a precedent for congressional intervention in EPA climate regulations without needing new legislation.
- Constitutional: Raises questions about the balance of powers between Congress (which can oversee agencies) and the executive branch (EPA under presidential direction). It affirms Congress's role in checking administrative actions but could spark lawsuits over environmental protections under laws like the Clean Air Act.
- Political: Introduced by Republican lawmakers, it reflects partisan divides on climate policy—favoring energy production over regulation. Passage would require bipartisan support or a Republican majority, potentially influencing midterm election dynamics and future EPA rulemaking.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12]
Cosponsors (37)
Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. McDowell, Addison [R-NC-6], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Moore, Riley [R-WV-2], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To nullify the final rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From New, Modified, and Reconstructed Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Electric Generating Units; and Repeal of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule". — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (2 pages)