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Title II — Reining in Job-Killing Washington Red Tape

H.R. 5360 · 113th Congress · Jul 31, 2014 · Lineage

II Reining in Job-Killing Washington Red Tape

A Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act

Sec. 2001 Purpose

The purpose of this title is to increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process. Section 1 of article I of the United States Constitution grants all legislative powers to Congress. Over time, Congress has excessively delegated its constitutional charge while failing to conduct appropriate oversight and retain accountability for the content of the laws it passes. By requiring a vote in Congress, this subtitle will result in more carefully drafted and detailed legislation, an improved regulatory process, and a legislative branch that is truly accountable to the American people for the laws imposed upon them. Moreover, as a tax on carbon emissions increases energy costs on consumers, reduces economic growth and is therefore detrimental to individuals, families and businesses, this subtitle includes in the definition of a major rule, any rule that implements or provides for the imposition or collection of a tax on carbon emissions.

Sec. 2002 Congressional review of agency rulemaking

Chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“8 Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking

“801. Congressional review

“(a)

“(1)

“(A) Before a rule may take effect, the Federal agency promulgating such rule shall submit to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General a report containing—

“(i) a copy of the rule;

“(ii) a concise general statement relating to the rule;

“(iii) a classification of the rule as a major or nonmajor rule, including an explanation of the classification specifically addressing each criteria for a major rule contained within clauses (i) through (iii) of section 804(2)(A) or within section 804(2)(B);

“(iv) a list of any other related regulatory actions taken by or that will be taken by the Federal agency promulgating the rule that are intended to implement the same statutory provision or regulatory objective as well as the individual and aggregate economic effects of those actions;

“(v) a list of any other related regulatory actions taken by or that will be taken by any other Federal agency with authority to implement the same statutory provision or regulatory objective that are intended to implement such provision or objective, of which the Federal agency promulgating the rule is aware, as well as the individual and aggregate economic effects of those actions; and

“(vi) the proposed effective date of the rule.

“(B) On the date of the submission of the report under subparagraph (A), the Federal agency promulgating the rule shall submit to the Comptroller General and make available to each House of Congress—

“(i) a complete copy of the cost-benefit analysis of the rule, if any, including an analysis of any jobs added or lost, differentiating between public and private sector jobs;

“(ii) the agency’s actions pursuant to sections 603, 604, 605, 607, and 609 of this title;

“(iii) the agency’s actions pursuant to sections 202, 203, 204, and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995; and

“(iv) any other relevant information or requirements under any other Act and any relevant Executive orders.

“(C) Upon receipt of a report submitted under subparagraph (A), each House shall provide copies of the report to the chairman and ranking member of each standing committee with jurisdiction under the rules of the House of Representatives or the Senate to report a bill to amend the provision of law under which the rule is issued.

“(2)

“(A) The Comptroller General shall provide a report on each major rule to the committees of jurisdiction by the end of 15 calendar days after the submission or publication date. The report of the Comptroller General shall include an assessment of the agency’s compliance with procedural steps required by paragraph (1)(B) and an assessment of whether the major rule imposes any new limits or mandates on private-sector activity.

“(B) Federal agencies shall cooperate with the Comptroller General by providing information relevant to the Comptroller General’s report under subparagraph (A).

“(3) A major rule relating to a report submitted under paragraph (1) shall take effect upon enactment of a joint resolution of approval described in section 802 or as provided for in the rule following enactment of a joint resolution of approval described in section 802, whichever is later.

“(4) A nonmajor rule shall take effect as provided by section 803 after submission to Congress under paragraph (1).

“(5) If a joint resolution of approval relating to a major rule is not enacted within the period provided in subsection (b)(2), then a joint resolution of approval relating to the same rule may not be considered under this chapter in the same Congress by either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

“(b)

“(1) A major rule shall not take effect unless the Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval described under section 802.

“(2) If a joint resolution described in subsection (a) is not enacted into law by the end of 70 session days or legislative days, as applicable, beginning on the date on which the report referred to in section 801(a)(1)(A) is received by Congress (excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Congress), then the rule described in that resolution shall be deemed not to be approved and such rule shall not take effect.

“(c)

“(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section (except subject to paragraph (3)), a major rule may take effect for one 90-calendar-day period if the President makes a determination under paragraph (2) and submits written notice of such determination to the Congress.

“(2) Paragraph (1) applies to a determination made by the President by Executive order that the major rule should take effect because such rule is—

“(A) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency;

“(B) necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws;

“(C) necessary for national security; or

“(D) issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement.

“(3) An exercise by the President of the authority under this subsection shall have no effect on the procedures under section 802.

“(d)

“(1) In addition to the opportunity for review otherwise provided under this chapter, in the case of any rule for which a report was submitted in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(A) during the period beginning on the date occurring—

“(A) in the case of the Senate, 60 session days, or

“(B) in the case of the House of Representatives, 60 legislative days,

“(2)

“(A) In applying sections 802 and 803 for purposes of such additional review, a rule described under paragraph (1) shall be treated as though—

“(i) such rule were published in the Federal Register on—

“(I) in the case of the Senate, the 15th session day, or

“(II) in the case of the House of Representatives, the 15th legislative day,

“(ii) a report on such rule were submitted to Congress under subsection (a)(1) on such date.

“(B) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the requirement under subsection (a)(1) that a report shall be submitted to Congress before a rule can take effect.

“(3) A rule described under paragraph (1) shall take effect as otherwise provided by law (including other subsections of this section).

“802. Congressional approval procedure for major rules

“(a)

“(1) For purposes of this section, the term joint resolution means only a joint resolution addressing a report classifying a rule as major pursuant to section 801(a)(1)(A)(iii) that—

“(A) bears no preamble;

“(B) bears the following title (with blanks filled as appropriate): “Approving the rule submitted by ___ relating to ___.”;

“(C) includes after its resolving clause only the following (with blanks filled as appropriate): “That Congress approves the rule submitted by ___ relating to ___.”; and

“(D) is introduced pursuant to paragraph (2).

“(2) After a House of Congress receives a report classifying a rule as major pursuant to section 801(a)(1)(A)(iii), the majority leader of that House (or his or her respective designee) shall introduce (by request, if appropriate) a joint resolution described in paragraph (1)—

“(A) in the case of the House of Representatives, within three legislative days; and

“(B) in the case of the Senate, within three session days.

“(3) A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall not be subject to amendment at any stage of proceeding.

“(b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be referred in each House of Congress to the committees having jurisdiction over the provision of law under which the rule is issued.

“(c) In the Senate, if the committee or committees to which a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has been referred have not reported it at the end of 15 session days after its introduction, such committee or committees shall be automatically discharged from further consideration of the resolution and it shall be placed on the calendar. A vote on final passage of the resolution shall be taken on or before the close of the 15th session day after the resolution is reported by the committee or committees to which it was referred, or after such committee or committees have been discharged from further consideration of the resolution.

“(d)

“(1) In the Senate, when the committee or committees to which a joint resolution is referred have reported, or when a committee or committees are discharged (under subsection (c)) from further consideration of a joint resolution described in subsection (a), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of.

“(2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order.

“(3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described in subsection (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.

“(4) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be decided without debate.

“(e) In the House of Representatives, if any committee to which a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has been referred has not reported it to the House at the end of 15 legislative days after its introduction, such committee shall be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution, and it shall be placed on the appropriate calendar. On the second and fourth Thursdays of each month it shall be in order at any time for the Speaker to recognize a Member who favors passage of a joint resolution that has appeared on the calendar for at least 5 legislative days to call up that joint resolution for immediate consideration in the House without intervention of any point of order. When so called up a joint resolution shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and the previous question shall be considered as ordered to its passage without intervening motion. It shall not be in order to reconsider the vote on passage. If a vote on final passage of the joint resolution has not been taken by the third Thursday on which the Speaker may recognize a Member under this subsection, such vote shall be taken on that day.

“(f)

“(1) If, before passing a joint resolution described in subsection (a), one House receives from the other a joint resolution having the same text, then—

“(A) the joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee; and

“(B) the procedure in the receiving House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House until the vote on passage, when the joint resolution received from the other House shall supplant the joint resolution of the receiving House.

“(2) This subsection shall not apply to the House of Representatives if the joint resolution received from the Senate is a revenue measure.

“(g) If either House has not taken a vote on final passage of the joint resolution by the last day of the period described in section 801(b)(2), then such vote shall be taken on that day.

“(h) This section and section 803 are enacted by Congress—

“(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is deemed to be part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a joint resolution described in subsection (a) and superseding other rules only where explicitly so; and

“(2) with full recognition of the Constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as they relate to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.

“803. Congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules

“(a) For purposes of this section, the term joint resolution means only a joint resolution introduced in the period beginning on the date on which the report referred to in section 801(a)(1)(A) is received by Congress and ending 60 days thereafter (excluding days either House of Congress is adjourned for more than 3 days during a session of Congress), the matter after the resolving clause of which is as follows: “That Congress disapproves the nonmajor rule submitted by the ___ relating to ___ , and such rule shall have no force or effect.” (The blank spaces being appropriately filled in).

“(b) A joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be referred to the committees in each House of Congress with jurisdiction.

“(c) In the Senate, if the committee to which is referred a joint resolution described in subsection (a) has not reported such joint resolution (or an identical joint resolution) at the end of 15 session days after the date of introduction of the joint resolution, such committee may be discharged from further consideration of such joint resolution upon a petition supported in writing by 30 Members of the Senate, and such joint resolution shall be placed on the calendar.

“(d)

“(1) In the Senate, when the committee to which a joint resolution is referred has reported, or when a committee is discharged (under subsection (c)) from further consideration of a joint resolution described in subsection (a), it is at any time thereafter in order (even though a previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed to) for a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution, and all points of order against the joint resolution (and against consideration of the joint resolution) are waived. The motion is not subject to amendment, or to a motion to postpone, or to a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate until disposed of.

“(2) In the Senate, debate on the joint resolution, and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith, shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion to further limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the joint resolution is not in order.

“(3) In the Senate, immediately following the conclusion of the debate on a joint resolution described in subsection (a), and a single quorum call at the conclusion of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.

“(4) Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) shall be decided without debate.

“(e) In the Senate the procedure specified in subsection (c) or (d) shall not apply to the consideration of a joint resolution respecting a nonmajor rule—

“(1) after the expiration of the 60 session days beginning with the applicable submission or publication date, or

“(2) if the report under section 801(a)(1)(A) was submitted during the period referred to in section 801(d)(1), after the expiration of the 60 session days beginning on the 15th session day after the succeeding session of Congress first convenes.

“(f) If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of that House described in subsection (a), that House receives from the other House a joint resolution described in subsection (a), then the following procedures shall apply:

“(1) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee.

“(2) With respect to a joint resolution described in subsection (a) of the House receiving the joint resolution—

“(A) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; but

“(B) the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House.

“804. Definitions

“For purposes of this chapter—

“(1) The term Federal agency means any agency as that term is defined in section 551(1).

“(2) The term major rule means any rule, including an interim final rule, that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget finds—

“(A) has resulted in or is likely to result in—

“(i) an annual effect on the economy of $50,000,000 or more;

“(ii) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or

“(iii) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets;

“(B) is made by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and that would have a significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (who shall publish such determination in the Federal Register);

“(C) is a rule that implements or provides for the imposition or collection of a carbon tax; or

“(D) is made under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148).

“(3) The term nonmajor rule means any rule that is not a major rule.

“(4) The term rule has the meaning given such term in section 551, except that such term does not include any rule of particular applicability, including a rule that approves or prescribes for the future rates, wages, prices, services, or allowances therefore, corporate or financial structures, reorganizations, mergers, or acquisitions thereof, or accounting practices or disclosures bearing on any of the foregoing.

“(5) The term submission date or publication date, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, means—

“(A) in the case of a major rule, the date on which the Congress receives the report submitted under section 801(a)(1); and

“(B) in the case of a nonmajor rule, the later of—

“(i) the date on which the Congress receives the report submitted under section 801(a)(1); and

“(ii) the date on which the nonmajor rule is published in the Federal Register, if so published.

“(6) The term agricultural entity means any entity involved in or related to agricultural enterprise, including enterprises that are engaged in the business of production of food and fiber, ranching and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries.

“(7) The term carbon tax means a fee, levy, or price on—

“(A) emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions generated by the burning of coal, natural gas, or oil; or

“(B) coal, natural gas, or oil based on emissions, including carbon dioxide emissions that would be generated through the fuel's combustion.

“805. Judicial review

“(a) No determination, finding, action, or omission under this chapter shall be subject to judicial review.

“(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a court may determine whether a Federal agency has completed the necessary requirements under this chapter for a rule to take effect.

“(c) The enactment of a joint resolution of approval under section 802 shall not be interpreted to serve as a grant or modification of statutory authority by Congress for the promulgation of a rule, shall not extinguish or affect any claim, whether substantive or procedural, against any alleged defect in a rule, and shall not form part of the record before the court in any judicial proceeding concerning a rule except for purposes of determining whether or not the rule is in effect.

“806. Exemption for monetary policy

“Nothing in this chapter shall apply to rules that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.

“807. Effective date of certain rules

“Notwithstanding section 801—

“(1) any rule that establishes, modifies, opens, closes, or conducts a regulatory program for a commercial, recreational, or subsistence activity related to hunting, fishing, or camping; or

“(2) any rule other than a major rule which an agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefore in the rule issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest,”

Sec. 2003 Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code

Section 257(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(E) Budgetary effects of rules subject to section 802 of title 5, United States Code—Any rules subject to the congressional approval procedure set forth in section 802 of chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, affecting budget authority, outlays, or receipts shall be assumed to be effective unless it is not approved in accordance with such section.”

Sec. 2004 Government Accountability Office study of rules

(a)
In general— The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, as of the date of the enactment of this subtitle—
(1)
how many rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect;
(2)
how many major rules (as such term is defined in section 804 of title 5, United States Code) were in effect; and
(3)
the total estimated economic cost imposed by all such rules.
(b)
Report— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subtitle, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that contains the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).

B Energy Consumers Relief Act

Sec. 2201 Prohibition against finalizing certain energy-related rules that will cause significant adverse effects to the economy

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not promulgate as final an energy-related rule that is estimated to cost more than $1 billion if the Secretary of Energy determines under section 2202(3) that the rule will cause significant adverse effects to the economy.

Sec. 2202 Reports and determinations prior to promulgating as final certain energy-related rules

Before promulgating as final any energy-related rule that is estimated to cost more than $1 billion:
(1)
Report to Congress— The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall submit to Congress a report (and transmit a copy to the Secretary of Energy) containing—
(A)
a copy of the rule;
(B)
a concise general statement relating to the rule;
(C)
an estimate of the total costs of the rule, including the direct costs and indirect costs of the rule;
(D)
(i)
an estimate of the total benefits of the rule and when such benefits are expected to be realized;
(ii)
a description of the modeling, the calculations, the assumptions, and the limitations due to uncertainty, speculation, or lack of information associated with the estimates under this subparagraph; and
(iii)
a certification that all data and documents relied upon by the Agency in developing such estimates—
(I)
have been preserved; and
(II)
are available for review by the public on the Agency’s Web site, except to the extent to which publication of such data and documents would constitute disclosure of confidential information in violation of applicable Federal law;
(E)
an estimate of the increases in energy prices, including potential increases in gasoline or electricity prices for consumers, that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule; and
(F)
a detailed description of the employment effects, including potential job losses and shifts in employment, that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule.
(2)
Initial determination on increases and impacts— The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, shall prepare an independent analysis to determine whether the rule will cause—
(A)
any increase in energy prices for consumers, including low-income households, small businesses, and manufacturers;
(B)
any impact on fuel diversity of the Nation’s electricity generation portfolio or on national, regional, or local electric reliability;
(C)
any adverse effect on energy supply, distribution, or use due to the economic or technical infeasibility of implementing the rule; or
(D)
any other adverse effect on energy supply, distribution, or use (including a shortfall in supply and increased use of foreign supplies).
(3)
Subsequent determination on adverse effects to the economy— If the Secretary of Energy determines, under paragraph (2), that the rule will cause an increase, impact, or effect described in such paragraph, then the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, shall—
(A)
determine whether the rule will cause significant adverse effects to the economy, taking into consideration—
(i)
the costs and benefits of the rule and limitations in calculating such costs and benefits due to uncertainty, speculation, or lack of information; and
(ii)
the positive and negative impacts of the rule on economic indicators, including those related to gross domestic product, unemployment, wages, consumer prices, and business and manufacturing activity; and
(B)
publish the results of such determination in the Federal Register.

Sec. 2203 Definitions

In this subtitle:
(1)
The terms direct costs and indirect costs have the meanings given such terms in chapter 8 of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses” dated December 17, 2010.
(2)
The term energy-related rule that is estimated to cost more than $1 billion means a rule of the Environmental Protection Agency that—
(A)
regulates any aspect of the production, supply, distribution, or use of energy or provides for such regulation by States or other governmental entities; and
(B)
is estimated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to impose direct costs and indirect costs, in the aggregate, of more than $1,000,000,000.
(3)
The term rule has the meaning given to such term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.

Sec. 2204 Prohibition on use of social cost of carbon in analysis

(a)
In general— Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any Executive order, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not use the social cost of carbon in order to incorporate social benefits of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, or for any other reason, in any cost-benefit analysis relating to an energy-related rule that is estimated to cost more than $1 billion unless and until a Federal law is enacted authorizing such use.
(b)
Definition— In this section, the term social cost of carbon means the social cost of carbon as described in the technical support document entitled “Technical Support Document: Technical Update of the Social Cost of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 12866”, published by the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon, United States Government, in May 2013, or any successor or substantially related document, or any other estimate of the monetized damages associated with an incremental increase in carbon dioxide emissions in a given year.

C Electricity Security and Affordability Act

Sec. 2301 Standards of performance for new fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units

(a)
Limitation— The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not issue, implement, or enforce any proposed or final rule under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411) that establishes a standard of performance for emissions of any greenhouse gas from any new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit unless such rule meets the requirements under subsections (b) and (c).
(b)
Requirements— In issuing any rule under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411) establishing standards of performance for emissions of any greenhouse gas from new sources that are fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (for purposes of establishing such standards)—
(1)
shall separate sources fueled with coal and natural gas into separate categories; and
(2)
shall not set a standard based on the best system of emission reduction for new sources within a fossil-fuel category unless—
(A)
such standard has been achieved on average for at least one continuous 12-month period (excluding planned outages) by each of at least 6 units within such category—
(i)
each of which is located at a different electric generating station in the United States;
(ii)
which, collectively, are representative of the operating characteristics of electric generation at different locations in the United States; and
(iii)
each of which is operated for the entire 12-month period on a full commercial basis; and
(B)
no results obtained from any demonstration project are used in setting such standard.
(c)
Coal having a heat content of 8300 or less British Thermal Units per pound—
(1)
Separate subcategory— In carrying out subsection (b)(1), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall establish a separate subcategory for new sources that are fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units using coal with an average heat content of 8300 or less British Thermal Units per pound.
(2)
Standard— Notwithstanding subsection (b)(2), in issuing any rule under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411) establishing standards of performance for emissions of any greenhouse gas from new sources in such subcategory, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall not set a standard based on the best system of emission reduction unless—
(A)
such standard has been achieved on average for at least one continuous 12-month period (excluding planned outages) by each of at least 3 units within such subcategory—
(i)
each of which is located at a different electric generating station in the United States;
(ii)
which, collectively, are representative of the operating characteristics of electric generation at different locations in the United States; and
(iii)
each of which is operated for the entire 12-month period on a full commercial basis; and
(B)
no results obtained from any demonstration project are used in setting such standard.
(d)
Technologies— Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the issuance, implementation, or enforcement of a standard of performance that—
(1)
is based on the use of one or more technologies that are developed in a foreign country, but has been demonstrated to be achievable at fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units in the United States; and
(2)
meets the requirements of subsections (b) and (c), as applicable.

Sec. 2302 Congress to set effective date for standards of performance for existing, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating units

(a)
Applicability— This section applies with respect to any rule or guidelines issued by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411) that—
(1)
establish any standard of performance for emissions of any greenhouse gas from any modified or reconstructed source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit; or
(2)
apply to the emissions of any greenhouse gas from an existing source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit.
(b)
Congress To set effective date— A rule or guidelines described in subsection (a) shall not take effect unless a Federal law is enacted specifying such rule’s or guidelines’ effective date.
(c)
Reporting— A rule or guidelines described in subsection (a) shall not take effect unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has submitted to Congress a report containing each of the following:
(1)
The text of such rule or guidelines.
(2)
The economic impacts of such rule or guidelines, including the potential effects on—
(A)
economic growth, competitiveness, and jobs in the United States;
(B)
electricity ratepayers, including low-income ratepayers in affected States;
(C)
required capital investments and projected costs for operation and maintenance of new equipment required to be installed; and
(D)
the global economic competitiveness of the United States.
(3)
The amount of greenhouse gas emissions that such rule or guidelines are projected to reduce as compared to overall global greenhouse gas emissions.
(d)
Consultation— In carrying out subsection (c), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall consult with the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, the Comptroller General of the United States, the Director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.

Sec. 2303 Repeal of earlier rules and guidelines

The following rules and guidelines shall be of no force or effect, and shall be treated as though such rules and guidelines had never been issued:
(1)
The proposed rule—
(A)
entitled “Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units”, published at 77 Fed. Reg. 22392 (April 13, 2012); and
(B)
withdrawn pursuant to the notice entitled “Withdrawal of Proposed Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions for New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units”, signed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on September 20, 2013, and identified by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OAR–2011–0660.
(2)
The proposed rule entitled “Standards of Performance for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from New Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units”, signed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on September 20, 2013, and identified by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OAR–2013–0495.
(3)
With respect to the proposed rule described in paragraph (1), any successor or substantially similar proposed or final rule that—
(A)
is issued prior to the date of the enactment of this Act;
(B)
is applicable to any new source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit; and
(C)
does not meet the requirements under subsections (b) and (c) of section 2.
(4)
Any proposed or final rule or guidelines under section 111 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411) that—
(A)
are issued prior to the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(B)
establish any standard of performance for emissions of any greenhouse gas from any modified or reconstructed source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit or apply to the emissions of any greenhouse gas from an existing source that is a fossil fuel-fired electric utility generating unit.

Sec. 2304 Definitions

In this subtitle:
(1)
Demonstration project— The term demonstration project means a project to test or demonstrate the feasibility of carbon capture and storage technologies that has received Federal Government funding or financial assistance.
(2)
Existing source— The term existing source has the meaning given such term in section 111(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411(a)), except such term shall not include any modified source.
(3)
Greenhouse gas— The term greenhouse gas means any of the following:
(A)
Carbon dioxide.
(B)
Methane.
(C)
Nitrous oxide.
(D)
Sulfur hexafluoride.
(E)
Hydrofluorocarbons.
(F)
Perfluorocarbons.
(4)
Modification— The term modification has the meaning given such term in section 111(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411(a)).
(5)
Modified source— The term modified source means any stationary source, the modification of which is commenced after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(6)
New source— The term new source has the meaning given such term in section 111(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411(a)), except that such term shall not include any modified source.

D Coal Residuals Reuse and Management

Sec. 2401 Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals

(a)
In general— Subtitle D of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“4011. Management and disposal of coal combustion residuals

“(a) State permit programs for coal combustion residuals—Each State may adopt, implement, and enforce a coal combustion residuals permit program if such State provides the notification required under subsection (b)(1), and the certification required under subsection (b)(2).

“(b) State actions

“(1) Notification—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section (except as provided by the deadline identified under subsection (d)(3)(B)), the Governor of each State shall notify the Administrator, in writing, whether such State will adopt and implement a coal combustion residuals permit program.

“(2) Certification

“(A) In general—Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this section (except as provided in subsection (f)(1)(A)), in the case of a State that has notified the Administrator that it will implement a coal combustion residuals permit program, the head of the lead State implementing agency shall submit to the Administrator a certification that such coal combustion residuals permit program meets the requirements described in subsection (c).

“(B) Contents—A certification submitted under this paragraph shall include—

“(i) a letter identifying the lead State implementing agency, signed by the head of such agency;

“(ii) identification of any other State agencies involved with the implementation of the coal combustion residuals permit program;

“(iii) an explanation of how the State coal combustion residuals permit program meets the requirements of this section, including a description of the State’s—

“(I) process to inspect or otherwise determine compliance with such permit program;

“(II) process to enforce the requirements of such permit program;

“(III) public participation process for the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of regulations for, and the issuance of permits under, such permit program;

“(IV) statutes, regulations, or policies pertaining to public access to information, such as groundwater monitoring data; and

“(V) statutes, regulations, or policies pertaining to structural integrity or dam safety that may be applied to structures through such permit program;

“(iv) a certification that the State has in effect, at the time of certification, statutes or regulations necessary to implement a coal combustion residuals permit program that meets the requirements described in subsection (c);

“(v) copies of State statutes and regulations described in clause (iv); and

“(vi) an emergency action plan for State response to a leak or spill at a structure that receives coal combustion residuals.

“(C) Updates—A State may update the certification as needed to reflect changes to the coal combustion residuals permit program.

“(3) Maintenance of 4005(c) or 3006 program—In order to adopt or implement a coal combustion residuals permit program under this section (including pursuant to subsection (f)), the State implementing agency shall maintain an approved permit program or other system of prior approval and conditions under section 4005(c) or an authorized program under section 3006.

“(c) Requirements for a coal combustion residuals permit program—A coal combustion residuals permit program shall consist of the following:

“(1) General requirements

“(A) In general—The implementing agency shall—

“(i) apply the subset of the revised criteria described in paragraph (2) to owners or operators of structures, including surface impoundments, that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section;

“(ii) with respect to structures that are receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section, take the actions required under paragraph (3);

“(iii) impose requirements for surface impoundments that do not meet certain criteria pursuant to paragraph (4); and

“(iv) require that closure of structures occur in accordance with paragraph (5).

“(B) Structural integrity

“(i) Engineering certification—The implementing agency shall require that an independent registered professional engineer certify that—

“(I) the design of each structure that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section is in accordance with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices for containment of the maximum volume of coal combustion residuals and liquids which can be impounded therein; and

“(II) the construction and maintenance of the structure will ensure structural stability.

“(ii) Emergency action plan—The implementing agency shall require that the owner or operator of any structure that is a surface impoundment that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section and that is classified by the State as posing a high hazard potential pursuant to the guidelines published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency entitled “Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams” (FEMA Publication Number 333) prepare and maintain an emergency action plan that identifies responsible persons and actions to be taken in the event of a dam safety emergency.

“(iii) Inspection

“(I) In general—The implementing agency shall require that structures that are surface impoundments that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section be inspected not less than annually by an independent registered professional engineer to assure that the design, operation, and maintenance of the surface impoundment is in accordance with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices for containment of the maximum volume of coal combustion residuals and liquids which can be impounded therein, so as to ensure dam stability.

“(II) Potentially hazardous conditions—The implementing agency shall require that if an inspection under subclause (I), or a periodic evaluation under clause (iv), reveals a potentially hazardous condition, the owner or operator of the structure shall immediately take action to mitigate the potentially hazardous condition and notify appropriate State and local first responders.

“(iv) Periodic evaluation—The implementing agency shall require that structures that are surface impoundments that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section be periodically evaluated for appearances of structural weakness.

“(v) Deficiency

“(I) In general—If the head of the implementing agency determines that a structure is deficient with respect to the requirements in clause (i), (iii), or (iv), the head of the agency has the authority to require action to correct the deficiency according to a schedule determined by the agency.

“(II) Uncorrected deficiencies—If a deficiency is not corrected according to the schedule, the head of the implementing agency has the authority to require that the structure close in accordance with paragraph (5).

“(III) Dam safety consultation—In the case of a structure that is a surface impoundment, the head of the implementing agency shall, in making a determination under subclause (I), consult with appropriate State dam safety officials.

“(C) Location—The implementing agency shall require that structures that first receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section shall be constructed with a base located a minimum of 2 feet above the upper limit of the water table, unless it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the implementing agency that—

“(i) the hydrogeologic characteristics of a structure and surrounding land would preclude such a requirement; and

“(ii) the function and integrity of the liner system will not be adversely impacted by contact with the water table.

“(D) Wind dispersal

“(i) In general—The implementing agency shall require that owners or operators of structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section address wind dispersal of dust by requiring cover, or by wetting coal combustion residuals with water to a moisture content that prevents wind dispersal, facilitates compaction, and does not result in free liquids.

“(ii) Alternative methods—Subject to the review and approval by the implementing agency, owners or operators of structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section may propose alternative methods to address wind dispersal of dust that will provide comparable or more effective control of dust.

“(E) Permits—The implementing agency shall require that owners or operators of structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section apply for and obtain permits incorporating the requirements of the coal combustion residuals permit program.

“(F) Public availability of information—Except for information with respect to which disclosure is prohibited under section 1905 of title 18, United States Code, the implementing agency shall ensure that—

“(i) documents for permit determinations are made available for public review and comment under the public participation process described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(III) or in subsection (e)(6), as applicable;

“(ii) final determinations on permit applications are made known to the public; and

“(iii) groundwater monitoring data collected under paragraph (2) is publicly available.

“(G) Agency authority

“(i) In general—The implementing agency has the authority to—

“(I) obtain information necessary to determine whether the owner or operator of a structure is in compliance with the requirements of this subsection;

“(II) conduct or require monitoring and testing to ensure that structures are in compliance with the requirements of this subsection; and

“(III) enter, at reasonable times, any site or premise subject to the coal combustion residuals permit program for the purpose of inspecting structures and reviewing records relevant to the design, operation, and maintenance of structures.

“(ii) Monitoring and testing—If monitoring or testing is conducted under clause (i)(II) by or for the implementing agency, the implementing agency shall, if requested, provide to the owner or operator—

“(I) a written description of the monitoring or testing completed;

“(II) at the time of sampling, a portion of each sample equal in volume or weight to the portion retained by or for the implementing agency; and

“(III) a copy of the results of any analysis of samples collected by or for the implementing agency.

“(2) Revised criteria—The subset of the revised criteria referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i) are as follows:

“(A) Design requirements—For new structures, and lateral expansions of existing structures, that first receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria regarding design requirements described in section 258.40 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, except that the leachate collection system requirements described in section 258.40(a)(2) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, do not apply to structures that are surface impoundments.

“(B) Groundwater monitoring and corrective action—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria regarding groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in subpart E of part 258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, except that, for the purposes of this subparagraph, the revised criteria shall also include—

“(i) for the purposes of detection monitoring, the constituents boron, chloride, conductivity, fluoride, mercury, pH, sulfate, sulfide, and total dissolved solids; and

“(ii) for the purposes of assessment monitoring, establishing a groundwater protection standard, and assessment of corrective measures, the constituents aluminum, boron, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, molybdenum, pH, sulfate, and total dissolved solids.

“(C) Closure—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, in a manner consistent with paragraph (5), the revised criteria for closure described in subsections (a) through (c) and (h) through (j) of section 258.60 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(D) Post-closure—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for post-closure care described in section 258.61 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, except for the requirement described in subsection (a)(4) of that section.

“(E) Location restrictions—The revised criteria for location restrictions described in—

“(i) for new structures, and lateral expansions of existing structures, that first receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, sections 258.11 through 258.15 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(ii) for existing structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, sections 258.11 and 258.15 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(F) Air quality—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for air quality described in section 258.24 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(G) Financial assurance—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for financial assurance described in subpart G of part 258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(H) Surface water—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for surface water described in section 258.27 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(I) Recordkeeping—For all structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for recordkeeping described in section 258.29 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(J) Run-on and run-off control systems for land-based units—For all landfills and other land-based units, other than surface impoundments, that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for run-on and run-off control systems described in section 258.26 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(K) Run-off control systems for surface impoundments—For all surface impoundments that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section, the revised criteria for run-off control systems described in section 258.26(a)(2) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(3) Permit program implementation for existing structures

“(A) Notification—Not later than the date on which a State submits a certification under subsection (b)(2), not later than 30 months after the Administrator receives notice under subsection (e)(1)(A), or not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this section with respect to a coal combustion residuals permit program that is being implemented by the Administrator under subsection (e)(3), as applicable, the implementing agency shall notify owners or operators of structures that are receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section within the State of—

“(i) the obligation to apply for and obtain a permit under subparagraph (C); and

“(ii) the requirements referred to in subparagraph (B).

“(B) Compliance with certain requirements—Not later than 12 months after the date on which a State submits a certification under subsection (b)(2), not later than 42 months after the Administrator receives notice under subsection (e)(1)(A), or not later than 48 months after the date of enactment of this section with respect to a coal combustion residuals permit program that is being implemented by the Administrator under subsection (e)(3), as applicable, the implementing agency shall require owners or operators of structures that are receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section to comply with—

“(i) the requirements under paragraphs (1)(B) (ii) and (iii), (1)(D), (2)(B), (2)(F), (2)(H), (2)(J), and (2)(K); and

“(ii) the groundwater recordkeeping requirement described in section 258.29(a)(5) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(C) Permits

“(i) Permit deadline—Not later than 48 months after the date on which a State submits a certification under subsection (b)(2), not later than 78 months after the Administrator receives notice under subsection (e)(1)(A), or not later than 84 months after the date of enactment of this section with respect to a coal combustion residuals permit program that is being implemented by the Administrator under subsection (e)(3), as applicable, the implementing agency shall issue, with respect to a structure that is receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section, a final permit incorporating the requirements of the coal combustion residuals permit program, or a final denial for an application submitted requesting such a permit.

“(ii) Application deadline—The implementing agency shall identify, in collaboration with the owner or operator of a structure described in clause (i), a reasonable deadline by which the owner or operator shall submit a permit application under such clause.

“(D) Interim operation

“(i) Prior to deadlines—With respect to any period of time on or after the date of enactment of this section but prior to the applicable deadline in subparagraph (B), the owner or operator of a structure that is receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section may continue to operate such structure until such applicable deadline under the applicable authority in effect.

“(ii) Prior to permit—Unless the implementing agency determines that the structure should close pursuant to paragraph (5), if the owner or operator of a structure that is receiving coal combustion residuals as of the date of enactment of this section meets the requirements referred to in subparagraph (B) by the applicable deadline in such subparagraph, the owner or operator may operate the structure until such time as the implementing agency issues, under subparagraph (C), a final permit incorporating the requirements of the coal combustion residuals permit program, or a final denial for an application submitted requesting such a permit.

“(4) Requirements for surface impoundments that do not meet certain criteria

“(A) Surface impoundments that require assessment of corrective measures within 10 years of the date of enactment

“(i) In general—In addition to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in paragraph (2)(B), the implementing agency shall require a surface impoundment that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section to comply with the requirements in clause (ii) of this subparagraph and clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (D) if the surface impoundment—

“(I) does not—

“(aa) have a liner system described in section 258.40(b) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(bb) meet the design criteria described in section 258.40(a)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(II) within 10 years after the date of enactment of this section, is required under section 258.56(a) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to undergo an assessment of corrective measures for any constituent covered under subpart E of part 258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, or otherwise identified in paragraph (2)(B)(ii) of this subsection, for which assessment groundwater monitoring is required.

“(ii) Deadline to meet groundwater protection standard—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the implementing agency shall require that the groundwater protection standard, for surface impoundments identified in clause (i) of this subparagraph, established by the implementing agency under section 258.55(h) or 258.55(i) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, for any constituent for which corrective measures are required shall be met—

“(I) as soon as practicable at the relevant point of compliance, as described in section 258.40(d) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(II) not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this section.

“(B) Surface impoundments subject to a state corrective action requirement as of the date of enactment

“(i) In general—In addition to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in paragraph (2)(B), the implementing agency shall require a surface impoundment that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section to comply with the requirements in clause (ii) of this subparagraph and clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (D) if the surface impoundment—

“(I) does not—

“(aa) have a liner system described in section 258.40(b) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(bb) meet the design criteria described in section 258.40(a)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(II) as of the date of enactment of this section, is subject to a State corrective action requirement.

“(ii) Deadline to meet groundwater protection standard—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the implementing agency shall require that the groundwater protection standard, for surface impoundments identified in clause (i) of this subparagraph, established by the implementing agency under section 258.55(h) or 258.55(i) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, for any constituent for which corrective measures are required shall be met—

“(I) as soon as practicable at the relevant point of compliance, as described in section 258.40(d) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(II) not later than 8 years after the date of enactment of this section.

“(C) Extension of deadline

“(i) In general—Except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, the deadline for meeting a groundwater protection standard under subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) may be extended by the implementing agency, after opportunity for public notice and comment under the public participation process described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(III), or in subsection (e)(6) based on—

“(I) the effectiveness of any interim measures implemented by the owner or operator of the facility under section 258.58(a)(3) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations;

“(II) the level of progress demonstrated in meeting the groundwater protection standard;

“(III) the potential for other adverse human health or environmental exposures attributable to the contamination from the surface impoundment undergoing corrective action; and

“(IV) the lack of available alternative management capacity for the coal combustion residuals and related materials managed in the impoundment at the facility at which the impoundment is located if the owner or operator has used best efforts, as necessary, to design, obtain any necessary permits, finance, construct, and render operational the alternative management capacity during the time period for meeting a groundwater protection standard in subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii).

“(ii) Exception—The deadline under subparagraph (A)(ii) or (B)(ii) shall not be extended if there has been contamination of public or private drinking water systems attributable to a surface impoundment undergoing corrective action, unless the contamination has been addressed by providing a permanent replacement water system.

“(D) Additional requirements

“(i) Closure—If the deadline under subparagraph (A)(ii), (B)(ii), or (C) is not satisfied, the surface impoundment shall cease receiving coal combustion residuals and initiate closure under paragraph (5).

“(ii) Interim measures

“(I) In general—Except as provided in subclause (II), not later than 90 days after the date on which the assessment of corrective measures is initiated, the owner or operator of a surface impoundment described in subparagraph (A) or (B) shall implement interim measures, as necessary, under the factors in section 258.58(a)(3) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(II) Impoundments subject to state corrective action requirement as of the date of enactment—Subclause (I) shall only apply to surface impoundments subject to a State corrective action requirement as of the date of enactment of this section if the owner or operator has not implemented interim measures, as necessary, under the factors in section 258.58(a)(3) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.

“(E) Surface impoundments that require assessment of corrective measures more than 10 years after date of enactment

“(i) In general—In addition to the groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements described in paragraph (2)(B), the implementing agency shall require a surface impoundment that receives coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section to comply with the requirements in clause (ii) if the surface impoundment—

“(I) does not—

“(aa) have a liner system described in section 258.40(b) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(bb) meet the design criteria described in section 258.40(a)(1) of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations; and

“(II) more than 10 years after the date of enactment of this section, is required under section 258.56(a) title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to undergo an assessment of corrective measures for any constituent covered under subpart E of part 258 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, or otherwise identified in paragraph (2)(B)(ii) of this subsection, for which assessment groundwater monitoring is required.

“(ii) Requirements

“(I) Closure—The surface impoundments identified in clause (i) shall cease receiving coal combustion residuals and initiate closure in accordance with paragraph (5) after alternative management capacity at the facility is available for the coal combustion residuals and related materials managed in the impoundment.

“(II) Best efforts—The alternative management capacity shall be developed as soon as practicable with the owner or operator using best efforts to design, obtain necessary permits for, finance, construct, and render operational the alternative management capacity.

“(III) Alternative capacity management plan—The owner or operator shall, in collaboration with the implementing agency, prepare a written plan that describes the steps necessary to develop the alternative management capacity and includes a schedule for completion.

“(IV) Public participation—The plan described in subclause (III) shall be subject to public notice and comment under the public participation process described in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(III) or in subsection (e)(6), as applicable.

“(5) Closure

“(A) In general—If it is determined by the implementing agency that a structure should close because the requirements of a coal combustion residuals permit program are not being satisfied with respect to such structure, or if it is determined by the owner or operator that a structure should close, the time period and method for the closure of such structure shall be set forth in a closure plan that establishes a deadline for completion of closure as soon as practicable and that takes into account the nature and the site-specific characteristics of the structure to be closed.

“(B) Surface impoundment—In the case of a surface impoundment, the closure plan under subparagraph (A) shall require, at a minimum, the removal of liquid and the stabilization of remaining waste, as necessary to support the final cover.

“(d) Federal review of State permit programs

“(1) In general—The Administrator shall provide to a State written notice and an opportunity to remedy deficiencies in accordance with paragraph (3) if at any time the State—

“(A) does not satisfy the notification requirement under subsection (b)(1);

“(B) has not submitted a certification required under subsection (b)(2);

“(C) does not satisfy the maintenance requirement under subsection (b)(3);

“(D) is not implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program, with respect to which the State has submitted a certification under subsection (b)(2), that meets the requirements described in subsection (c);

“(E) is not implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program, with respect to which the State has submitted a certification under subsection (b)(2)—

“(i) that is consistent with such certification; and

“(ii) for which the State continues to have in effect statutes or regulations necessary to implement such program; or

“(F) does not make available to the Administrator, within 90 days of a written request, specific information necessary for the Administrator to ascertain whether the State has satisfied the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (E).

“(2) Request—If a request described in paragraph (1)(F) is proposed pursuant to a petition to the Administrator, the Administrator shall only make the request if the Administrator does not possess the information necessary to ascertain whether the State has satisfied the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of such paragraph.

“(3) Contents of notice; deadline for response—A notice provided under paragraph (1) shall—

“(A) include findings of the Administrator detailing any applicable deficiencies described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (1); and

“(B) identify, in collaboration with the State, a reasonable deadline by which the State shall remedy such applicable deficiencies, which shall be—

“(i) in the case of a deficiency described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), not earlier than 180 days after the date on which the State receives the notice; and

“(ii) in the case of a deficiency described in paragraph (1)(F), not later than 90 days after the date on which the State receives the notice.

“(4) Criteria for determining deficiency of State permit program—In making a determination whether a State has failed to satisfy the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1), or a determination under subsection (e)(1)(B), the Administrator shall consider, as appropriate—

“(A) whether the State’s statutes or regulations to implement a coal combustion residuals permit program are not sufficient to meet the requirements described in subsection (c) because of—

“(i) failure of the State to promulgate or enact new statutes or regulations when necessary; or

“(ii) action by a State legislature or court striking down or limiting such State statutes or regulations;

“(B) whether the operation of the State coal combustion residuals permit program fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (c) because of—

“(i) failure of the State to issue permits as required in subsection (c)(1)(E);

“(ii) repeated issuance of permits by the State which do not meet the requirements of subsection (c);

“(iii) failure of the State to comply with the public participation requirements of this section; or

“(iv) failure of the State to implement corrective action requirements as described in subsection (c)(2)(B); and

“(C) whether the enforcement of a State coal combustion residuals permit program fails to comply with the requirements of this section because of—

“(i) failure to act on violations of permits, as identified by the State; or

“(ii) repeated failure by the State to inspect or otherwise determine compliance pursuant to the process identified in subsection (b)(2)(B)(iii)(I).

“(e) Implementation by Administrator

“(1) Federal backstop authority—The Administrator shall implement a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State only if—

“(A) the Governor of the State notifies the Administrator under subsection (b)(1) that the State will not adopt and implement a permit program;

“(B) the State has received a notice under subsection (d) and the Administrator determines, after providing a 30-day period for notice and public comment, that the State has failed, by the deadline identified in the notice under subsection (d)(3)(B), to remedy the deficiencies detailed in the notice under subsection (d)(3)(A); or

“(C) the State informs the Administrator, in writing, that such State will no longer implement such a permit program.

“(2) Review—A State may obtain a review of a determination by the Administrator under this subsection as if the determination was a final regulation for purposes of section 7006.

“(3) Other structures—For structures that receive coal combustion residuals on or after the date of enactment of this section located on property within the exterior boundaries of a State that the State does not have authority or jurisdiction to regulate, the Administrator shall implement a coal combustion residuals permit program only for those structures.

“(4) Requirements—If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State under paragraph (1) or (3), the permit program shall consist of the requirements described in subsection (c).

“(5) Enforcement

“(A) In general—If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State under paragraph (1)—

“(i) the authorities referred to in section 4005(c)(2)(A) shall apply with respect to coal combustion residuals and structures for which the Administrator is implementing the coal combustion residuals permit program; and

“(ii) the Administrator may use those authorities to inspect, gather information, and enforce the requirements of this section in the State.

“(B) Other structures—If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program under paragraph (3)—

“(i) the authorities referred to in section 4005(c)(2)(A) shall apply with respect to coal combustion residuals and structures for which the Administrator is implementing the coal combustion residuals permit program; and

“(ii) the Administrator may use those authorities to inspect, gather information, and enforce the requirements of this section for the structures for which the Administrator is implementing the coal combustion residuals permit program.

“(6) Public participation process—If the Administrator implements a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State under this subsection, the Administrator shall provide a 30-day period for the public participation process required in paragraphs (1)(F)(i), (4)(C)(i), and (4)(E)(ii)(IV) of subsection (c).

“(f) State control after implementation by Administrator

“(1) State control

“(A) New adoption, or resumption of, and implementation by State—For a State for which the Administrator is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program under subsection (e)(1)(A), or subsection (e)(1)(C), the State may adopt and implement such a permit program by—

“(i) notifying the Administrator that the State will adopt and implement such a permit program;

“(ii) not later than 6 months after the date of such notification, submitting to the Administrator a certification under subsection (b)(2); and

“(iii) receiving from the Administrator—

“(I) a determination, after providing a 30-day period for notice and public comment, that the State coal combustion residuals permit program meets the requirements described in subsection (c); and

“(II) a timeline for transition of control of the coal combustion residuals permit program.

“(B) Remedying deficient permit program—For a State for which the Administrator is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program under subsection (e)(1)(B), the State may adopt and implement such a permit program by—

“(i) remedying only the deficiencies detailed in the notice pursuant to subsection (d)(3)(A); and

“(ii) receiving from the Administrator—

“(I) a determination, after providing a 30-day period for notice and public comment, that the deficiencies detailed in such notice have been remedied; and

“(II) a timeline for transition of control of the coal combustion residuals permit program.

“(2) Review of determination

“(A) Determination required—The Administrator shall make a determination under paragraph (1) not later than 90 days after the date on which the State submits a certification under paragraph (1)(A)(ii), or notifies the Administrator that the deficiencies have been remedied pursuant to paragraph (1)(B)(i), as applicable.

“(B) Review—A State may obtain a review of a determination by the Administrator under paragraph (1) as if such determination was a final regulation for purposes of section 7006.

“(3) Implementation during transition

“(A) Effect on actions and orders—Program requirements of, and actions taken or orders issued pursuant to, a coal combustion residuals permit program shall remain in effect if—

“(i) a State takes control of its coal combustion residuals permit program from the Administrator under paragraph (1); or

“(ii) the Administrator takes control of a coal combustion residuals permit program from a State under subsection (e).

“(B) Change in requirements—Subparagraph (A) shall apply to such program requirements, actions, and orders until such time as—

“(i) the implementing agency changes the requirements of the coal combustion residuals permit program with respect to the basis for the action or order; or

“(ii) the State or the Administrator, whichever took the action or issued the order, certifies the completion of a corrective action that is the subject of the action or order.

“(4) Single permit program—If a State adopts and implements a coal combustion residuals permit program under this subsection, the Administrator shall cease to implement the permit program implemented under subsection (e)(1) for such State.

“(g) Effect on determination under 4005(c) or 3006—The Administrator shall not consider the implementation of a coal combustion residuals permit program by the Administrator under subsection (e) in making a determination of approval for a permit program or other system of prior approval and conditions under section 4005(c) or of authorization for a program under section 3006.

“(h) Authority

“(1) State authority—Nothing in this section shall preclude or deny any right of any State to adopt or enforce any regulation or requirement respecting coal combustion residuals that is more stringent or broader in scope than a regulation or requirement under this section.

“(2) Authority of the administrator

“(A) In general—Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) and section 6005, the Administrator shall, with respect to the regulation of coal combustion residuals, defer to the States pursuant to this section.

“(B) Imminent hazard—Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Administrator under section 7003 with respect to coal combustion residuals.

“(C) Enforcement assistance only upon request—Upon request from the head of a lead State agency that is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program, the Administrator may provide to such State agency only the enforcement assistance requested.

“(D) Concurrent enforcement—Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the Administrator shall not have concurrent enforcement authority when a State is implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program, including during any period of interim operation described in subsection (c)(3)(D).

“(E) Other authority—The Administrator shall not have authority to finalize the proposed rule published at pages 35128 through 35264 of volume 75 of the Federal Register (June 21, 2010).

“(F) Other response authority—Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Administrator under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) with respect to coal combustion residuals.

“(3) Citizen suits—Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of a person to commence a civil action in accordance with section 7002.

“(i) Mine reclamation activities—A coal combustion residuals permit program implemented by the Administrator under subsection (e) shall not apply to the utilization, placement, and storage of coal combustion residuals at surface mining and reclamation operations.

“(j) Definitions—In this section:

“(1) Coal combustion residuals—The term coal combustion residuals means—

“(A) the solid wastes listed in section 3001(b)(3)(A)(i), including recoverable materials from such wastes;

“(B) coal combustion wastes that are co-managed with wastes produced in conjunction with the combustion of coal, provided that such wastes are not segregated and disposed of separately from the coal combustion wastes and comprise a relatively small proportion of the total wastes being disposed in the structure;

“(C) fluidized bed combustion wastes;

“(D) wastes from the co-burning of coal with non-hazardous secondary materials, provided that coal makes up at least 50 percent of the total fuel burned; and

“(E) wastes from the co-burning of coal with materials described in subparagraph (A) that are recovered from monofills.

“(2) Coal combustion residuals permit program—The term coal combustion residuals permit program means all of the authorities, activities, and procedures that comprise the system of prior approval and conditions implemented by or for a State to regulate the management and disposal of coal combustion residuals.

“(3) Code of Federal regulations—The term Code of Federal Regulations means the Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this section) or any successor regulations.

“(4) Implementing agency—The term implementing agency means the agency responsible for implementing a coal combustion residuals permit program for a State, which shall either be the lead State implementing agency identified under subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) or the Administrator pursuant to subsection (e).

“(5) Permit; prior approval and conditions—Except as provided in subsections (b)(3) and (g), the terms permit and prior approval and conditions mean any authorization, license, or equivalent control document that incorporates the requirements of subsection (c).

“(6) Revised criteria—The term revised criteria means the criteria promulgated for municipal solid waste landfill units under section 4004(a) and under section 1008(a)(3), as revised under section 4010(c).

“(7) Structure

“(A) In general—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term structure means a landfill, surface impoundment, or other land-based unit which receives, or is intended to receive, coal combustion residuals.

“(B) De minimis receipt—The term structure does not include any land-based unit that receives only de minimis quantities of coal combustion residuals if the presence of coal combustion residuals is incidental to the material managed in the unit.”

(b)
Conforming amendment— The table of contents contained in section 1001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 4010 the following:

Sec. 2402 2000 regulatory determination

Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to alter in any manner the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory determination entitled Notice of Regulatory Determination on Wastes From the Combustion of Fossil Fuels, published at 65 Fed. Reg. 32214 (May 22, 2000), that the fossil fuel combustion wastes addressed in that determination do not warrant regulation under subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.).

Sec. 2403 Technical assistance

Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to affect the authority of a State to request, or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide, technical assistance under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.).

Sec. 2404 Federal Power Act

Nothing in this subtitle, or the amendments made by this subtitle, shall be construed to affect the obligations of an owner or operator of a structure (as defined in section 4011 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as added by this subtitle) under section 215(b)(1) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 824o(b)(1)).