Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that exempts nuisance dust from regulation under the Clean Air Act.

Highlights:

• Exempts "nuisance dust" from regulation under the Clean Air Act, except for those geographic areas where the dust is not regulated by a state, tribal, or local government (Sec. 3).

• Defines "nuisance dust" as particulate matter that meets the following criteria (Sec. 3):
• Is generated primarily from natural sources, unpaved roads, agricultural activities, earth moving, or other activities conducted in rural areas;
• Consists primarily of soil or other natural or biological materials;
• Is not emitted directly into the air from combustion; and
• Is not comprised of residuals from the combustion of coal.

• Specifies that radioactive particulate matter produced from uranium mining or processing is not included in the definition of "nuisance dust" (Sec. 3).

• Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulation revising air quality standards for particulate matter until 1 year after the enactment of the bill (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing a regulation or implementing a new program under the Clean Air Act relating to agriculture and air quality standards for particulate matter unless the agency has first analyzed the impact of the regulation or program on employment levels in the agriculture industry and on agricultural economic activity (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text