A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Disapproval; Colorado; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution is Congress using a legal tool called the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to cancel a specific rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA rule in question rejected Colorado's plan for addressing regional haze — a type of air pollution that reduces visibility in national parks, wilderness areas, and other scenic landscapes. Under the Clean Air Act, states are required to submit plans showing how they will reduce haze-causing pollution over time, and the EPA disapproved Colorado's most recent submission for this second round of planning.

By passing this resolution, Congress would block the EPA's disapproval, effectively preventing the federal agency from rejecting Colorado's state plan. This would stop the EPA from potentially stepping in to enforce its own federal haze-reduction requirements on Colorado in place of the state's plan. Under the CRA, if this resolution passes both chambers of Congress and is signed by the President, the EPA rule would be nullified and the agency would generally be prohibited from issuing a substantially similar rule in the future.

This bill most directly affects Colorado residents, businesses, and industries — particularly those in sectors like energy, manufacturing, or agriculture that may face emissions regulations tied to haze reduction. It also has implications for people who visit or live near Colorado's national parks and scenic areas, where visibility and air quality could be impacted depending on which pollution-reduction requirements ultimately take effect. The outcome will determine whether Colorado's own plan or a stricter federal standard governs air quality efforts in the state.