Rep. Good Introduces Bill to Shield Small Businesses From EPA Regulations

U.S. Rep.-elect Bob Good (R-Va.) delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the third day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 5, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) recently introduced the Rein in the EPA Act, aiming to shield small businesses from unnecessary burdens imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This legislation, introduced on Dec. 14, specifically takes issue with the proposed rule, “Revisions to the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements,” contending that it could adversely affect small business owners across the nation.

The Rein in the EPA Act stands as a legislative countermeasure to what the lawmaker considers regulatory excess.

The EPA’s proposed Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) rule, published on Aug. 9, 2023, is at the center of this legislative response. The rule seeks to alter how state, local, and tribal agencies report emissions data.

The EPA contends that the updated AERR will affect over 129,500 facilities nationwide, with an estimated compliance cost of $2.4 billion to $3 billion.

“The Biden Administration continues its assault on business owners by imposing more reporting requirements designed to push a radical climate agenda,” Mr. Good said in a statement. “My legislation fights back against the EPA’s regulatory tentacles and protects small businesses from unduly burdensome compliance requirements. The last thing our economy needs is more Federal Government intrusion.”

Mr. Good emphasized that increased federal intrusion into business affairs is detrimental to the economy, warranting legislative intervention.

EPA Funding

Daren Bakst, director of the Center for Energy and Environment at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, echoed Mr. Good’s concerns, emphasizing the potential multibillion-dollar cost of the EPA’s proposed rule. In the statement from Mr. Good’s office, Mr. Bakst said the rule extends reporting requirements excessively, possibly setting the stage for more extensive regulations in the future.

“The EPA’s proposed air emissions reporting rule, according to the agency, is expected to cost as much as $3 billion and it would drastically and unnecessarily expand the scope of reporting requirements,” Mr. Bakst said.

As of now, the Rein in the EPA Act has garnered support from 19 Republican co-sponsors, illustrating a partisan divide on environmental regulations. The bill has found backing from groups like Competitive Enterprise Institute and Heritage Action.

The legislation comes weeks after the House moved to cut almost 40 percent of the EPA’s funding through a $25.4 billion Interior-Environmental appropriations package.

The House passed HR 4821 on Nov. 3, despite the legislation having little chance of becoming law due to the need for confirmation from the Senate and White House.

Republicans proposed a $25.4 billion fiscal 2024 DOI budget, which is $13.4 billion, or 35 percent, below fiscal 2023’s enacted funding. It allocates $14.3 billion for DOI operations, $677 million below fiscal 2023 levels and $3.4 billion below President Joe Biden’s budget request.

The EPA did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment before press time.

John Haughey contributed to this report.