Bipartisan legislation modernizes the Clean Air Act to attract more businesses and job growth across Arizona
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced the Modernizing Clean Air Permitting Act – bipartisan legislation updating the Clean Air Act to include common sense permitting reforms that will encourage business and job growth in Arizona while safeguarding public health and environmental protections.
Sinema and Cassidy’s new bill cuts red tape to provide certainty and fuel economic growth while rewarding good, clean energy practices.
“Arizona is home to the resources and businesses that serve as the bedrock for the clean energy technologies of the future. Our bipartisan legislation responsibly updates the Clean Air Act to help develop new clean energy technologies, attract more businesses to Arizona, create strong jobs for Arizona families, and ensure clean air for generations to come,” said Sinema.
“Everyone wants to breathe clean air, but Clean Air Act permitting is weaponized against progress,” said Cassidy. “These targeted reforms streamline permitting, create jobs, and encourage the adoption of the latest technology to clean up the air for our communities while supporting jobs in Louisiana.”
“Job creators across the state thank Sen. Sinema for her work to ensure the Clean Air Act is modernized to meet the needs of our environment and our economy,” said Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden. “Despite Maricopa County’s diligence to comply with the requirements of the Clean Air Act, the county’s proximity to Mexico and to California presents some unique challenges with few available avenues to avoid stiff penalties. Industries in the region have demonstrated their willingness to act responsibly under the Clean Air Act, but we require a partner at the federal level who is equally committed.”
“The Clean Air Act is overdue for an update, and I’m grateful that Senator Sinema introduced a bipartisan bill to do just that,” said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers. “This legislation removes restrictions on the many responsible tech and clean energy companies who choose to do business in Maricopa County. It also recognizes that there are limits to what governments can do to control air quality and that punishing a region for things it can’t control is unfair and bad for economic development. Maricopa County fully supports efforts to modernize the Clean Air Act.”
“APS is committed to powering economic growth in its service territory with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. As APS embarks on a transition toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, the Company depends on a supportive regulatory environment in order to make this transition a success. The Modernizing Clean Air Permitting Act of 2024 will streamline permitting for critical APS resources needed to ensure reliability for its growing customer base, while at the same time ensuring protections for clean air in Arizona,” said APS Chief Executive Officer Jeff Guldner. “APS greatly appreciates Senator Sinema and the bipartisan group of original cosponsors for this important legislation.”
Sinema has consistently heard from Arizonans about the importance of ensuring the Clean Air Act works for states like Arizona, as well as the need to restore Arizona and America’s leadership in advancing a clean manufacturing economy.
Sinema and Cassidy’s Modernizing Clean Air Permitting Act seeks to support investments and growth without sacrificing public health and environmental protections.
Specifically, the Modernizing Clean Air Permitting Act will:
- Revise the treatment of natural background levels, and recognize the impact of natural disasters and international emissions, focused on National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
- Update the criteria by which the Environmental Protection Agency can review and revise standards.
- Streamline the reclassification of major sources as area sources.
- Reform standards of performance for new stationary sources.
- Address the treatment of pending permits.
Click HERE for a one-pager on the bipartisan bill.