Carter-led bill improving air quality standards passes out of House Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) today celebrated passage of his Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act, a bill to modernize out-of-date National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

"For decades, states' economic growth has been hampered by overly strict, outdated air quality standards," said Rep. Carter. "My bill, the CLEAR Act, brings much-needed common-sense reform to this system by empowering states to reduce air pollution without getting in the way of prosperity. We are giving states a framework to work with, not burdensome red tape to work through."

"Congressman Carter's CLEAR Act takes a commonsense approach to establishing and implementing NAAQS, ensuring states are not bogged down by overly complicated standards that threaten economic prosperity. I am proud to see this bill advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee and look forward to its consideration on the House floor," said Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA).

The CLEAR Act will:

• Make attaining clean air standards realistic, while giving states the time needed to comply.

• Exclude natural disasters, wildfires, and actions to prevent wildfires that produce emissions from regulatory penalties.

• Protect the environment while also paving the way for responsible economic development.

Read the full bill text here.

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