Bill would let states exclude wildfire smoke from EPA air data

What does this do?

This bill lets state governors ask the EPA to set aside pollution data from days when wildfires or prescribed fires caused spikes in air pollution. That data would then not count against the state when the EPA checks whether an area meets federal air quality standards or can allow new construction. The EPA would also have to update its rules within 18 months, work with other states when smoke crosses regional borders, and keep a public website showing the status of all state requests.

Who does it affect?

State environmental agencies that run air quality programs would be most directly affected. Communities near wildfire-prone areas, and anyone living where wildfire smoke could cause a region to be labeled as having unhealthy air, would also be affected.

Why does it matter?

Without this change, pollution spikes caused by wildfires or prescribed fires count the same as other pollution when the EPA measures whether an area has clean enough air. That can affect whether a region is considered out of compliance with federal standards, even when the pollution came from sources outside local control.

Where does it stand?