Palmer Introduces Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) introduced the Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act.
This bill amends the Clean Air Act to provide a practical pathway for essential manufacturing and critical mineral facilities to comply with the Clean Air Act while also being protected from burdensome regulations that lead to permitting gridlock.
Following the introduction of the Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act, Rep. Palmer released the following statement:
“Manufacturing and critical mineral facilities that are essential to our economic stability and national security are currently being delayed due to permitting gridlock caused by burdensome regulations,” said Rep. Palmer. “This amendment to the Clean Air Act is long overdue. It’s time we remove unnecessary roadblocks so that we can adequately support domestic production while also ensuring we are protecting future generations’ environment and quality of life.”
BACKGROUND
Rep. Palmer serves as the Chairman for the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment.
The Clean Air Act requires pre-construction permits for major sources of emissions and pollutants. Section 173 of the Clean Air Act currently includes a provision allowing offset requirements to be waived for rocket engines or motors, which are essential for national security. This bill expands that authority to include advanced manufacturing facilities and critical minerals facilities, which are vital to strengthening America’s supply chains and national defense.
Under the bill, the President may determine that an advanced manufacturing facility or a critical minerals facility is exempt from offset emissions credit requirements. An advanced manufacturing or critical mineral facility may also receive an exemption if standards are met showing that a facility is working to maximize emissions reductions. Importantly, these facilities would still be required to meet all other Clean Air Act permitting requirements, ensuring continued environmental protections.
Read the bill text here.