SJRES 66119th CongressIntroduced

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Coke Ovens: Pushing, Quenching, and Battery Stacks, and Coke Oven Batteries; Residual Risk and Technology Review, and Periodic Technology Review."

Introduced: Jul 22, 2025

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill is a joint resolution using the Congressional Review Act (chapter 8 of title 5, U.S.C.) to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. The targeted rule pertains to National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Coke Ovens, specifically addressing pushing, quenching, and battery stacks and coke oven batteries, plus the Residual Risk and Technology Review (RRTR) and Periodic Technology Review (PTR). If Congress passes and this resolution is enacted (and signed into law, or allowed to become law without a veto), the EPA rule would be treated as having no force or effect. In short, the bill would prevent the EPA’s proposed updates from taking effect and would maintain the current regulatory framework for coke oven emissions. This action signals congressional intent to pause or overturn the EPA’s consideration of tighter controls or updated technology assessments for coke ovens. It would stop the specific changes outlined in the July 8, 2025 rule from being implemented, preserving existing standards and practices instead of adopting the updated RRTR/PTR provisions and any associated emission controls for coke ovens.

Key Points

1It uses the Congressional Review Act mechanism to disapprove a federal rule and strip it of legal effect.
2The disapproved rule is EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Coke Ovens, covering pushing, quenching, and battery stacks, coke oven batteries, plus RRTR and PTR processes.
3If enacted, the rule “shall have no force or effect,” meaning the EPA cannot implement the changes described in that rule.
4The bill was introduced in the Senate (S. J. Res. 66) by Senator Whitehouse on July 22, 2025 and sent to the Committee on Environment and Public Works; it requires passage by both chambers and presidential action to become law.
5The bill does not propose alternative standards or reforms; it simply disapproves the EPA rule and preserves the status quo.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Coke oven facilities and their operators, particularly those involved in pushing, quenching, and battery stack operations; the broader steel and coke-production sector that relies on coke ovens.- Workers and nearby communities who may be affected by emissions from coke ovens, since the disapproval prevents stricter controls from taking effect.Secondary group/area affected- Environmental and public health groups interested in reducing hazardous air pollutants and improving air quality.- State, local, and tribal air regulators who coordinate with federal NESHAPs and may rely on EPA standards to meet air-quality goals.Additional impacts- Regulatory and compliance costs: By blocking stricter standards and RRTR/PTR updates, the bill could reduce potential upfront costs for facilities required to install new controls, but may maintain higher exposure to hazardous pollutants for communities near coke ovens.- EPA regulatory planning: The disapproval could constrain EPA's ability to tighten coke oven emissions in the near term and may affect the agency’s broader approach to updating technology-based standards.- Broader policy signal: Using the CRA to overturn an EPA rule reinforces Congress’s oversight role over administrative rulemaking and could influence future EPA rulemaking and industry expectations.

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