Central ND News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to nullify the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rule on particulate matter standards. The resolution comes in response to the EPA's decision to narrow the level of the primary annual PM2.5 standard, a move that has raised concerns among lawmakers and industry leaders.

Cramer expressed his concerns over the EPA's decision, stating, "Despite already achieving significant declines in fine particulate matter levels, the Biden administration chose to unnecessarily narrow existing standards." He highlighted the potential impact on manufacturing and business growth, particularly in North Dakota and other counties across the country.

The resolution has garnered support from a long list of cosponsors, including prominent Republican Senators such as John Barrasso, Marsha Blackburn, Ted Cruz, and Mitt Romney. The cosponsors aim to protect manufacturing growth and defend businesses from the economic consequences of the EPA's rulemaking.

If passed, the CRA resolution would nullify the EPA's rule on particulate matter standards, providing relief to industries and counties facing potential nonattainment status. The resolution represents a broader effort by Republican lawmakers to push back against what they perceive as regulatory overreach by the Biden administration.

The EPA's decision to tighten the particulate matter standard has sparked a debate on the balance between environmental protection and economic growth. As the resolution moves through the legislative process, stakeholders on both sides will continue to voice their concerns and priorities regarding air quality regulations in the United States.