Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Environmental Protection Agency to revise its regulations regarding exception events or actions regarding wildfire risk.

Highlights:

• Amends the definition of exceptional events under the Clean Air Act and requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise its regulations regarding exceptional events or actions to mitigate wildfire risk (Sec. 2).

• Requires the EPA to exclude data from use in determinations of exceedances and violations of national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) if a state demonstrates that an exceptional event caused a specific air pollution concentration (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that events caused by human activity that are intended to mirror the occurrence or reoccurrence of a natural event are exceptional events (Sec. 2).

• Expands consideration of an exceptional event to include either (Sec. 2):

• Meteorological events involving high temperatures or a lack of precipitation; or 

• Stagnation of air masses that does not ordinarily occur.

• Requires the EPA to revise regulations regarding the reviewing and handling of air quality monitoring data influenced by actions to mitigate wildfire risk (Sec. 2).

• Requires the EPA to conduct regional modeling and analysis when multiple states submit petitions regarding the same exceptional event or action to mitigate wildfire risk (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text