Bill would ease pollution permit rules for factory and plant upgrades
Placed on the calendarH.R. 161Latest action
Sponsor: H. Morgan Griffith · Representative · VA
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Official title: New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 161 redefines "modification" under the Clean Air Act, making it easier for facilities to upgrade without new pollution permits.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 161 changes how the Clean Air Act determines when a facility change counts as a "modification" triggering stricter pollution permits. It redefines "increase" as a higher maximum hourly emission rate compared to any hour in the past 10 years, rather than annual totals, and generally exempts efficiency or safety upgrades from permitting unless EPA finds they would harm health or the environment.
Who does it affect?
Affects industrial facilities like power plants, refineries, and manufacturing sites, along with the EPA, which enforces Clean Air Act permitting programs.
Why does it matter?
Supporters say it would make upgrading aging equipment cheaper and easier; critics warn it could let facilities increase actual pollution without required environmental review.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJan 3, 2025
- House committee
- House voteYou are here · Apr 28, 2026
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 542.