Congressmen Brett Guthrie and Gary Palmer have announced a hearing to address permitting reform under the Clean Air Act. The event, titled “From Gridlock to Growth: Permitting Reform Under the Clean Air Act,” will be held by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment. The hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer said that current permitting requirements are hindering U.S. economic growth and contributing to job losses overseas. They aim to explore outdated regulations that do not align with the Clean Air Act’s objectives. “Red tape and burdensome permitting requirements are stifling U.S. economic growth and sending American jobs overseas,” they said. The committee plans to consider legislation aimed at reducing regulatory burdens while maintaining environmental protections.
The hearing will discuss several bills, including H.R. 161, known as the New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act, among others such as the FIRE Act, RED Tape Act, FENCES Act, and Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act.
Keri Powell from the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) testified against these legislative reforms during the hearing. She highlighted that Clean Air Act permitting plays a crucial role in protecting public health by enforcing science-based standards that prevent air pollution. According to Powell, “The CAA has successfully balanced economic growth with clean air for 50+ years.” She warned that weakening these safeguards could undermine progress in air quality improvements.
Powell specifically opposed H.R. 161 for potentially allowing increased emissions without modern controls and criticized other proposed acts for undermining existing environmental protections.
The hearing will be open to both the public and press and can be viewed online at energycommerce.house.gov.
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