The bill, known as the "Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act" or "FENCES Act," amends the Clean Air Act to address emissions originating from outside the United States. It provides clarifications on which emissions are covered and outlines the designation process for nonattainment areas. Additionally, it introduces a new section regarding the applicability of sanctions and fees in nonattainment areas, specifying circumstances where certain sanctions or fees shall not apply if the state demonstrates that emissions from outside the area are beyond their control. This bill aims to address the impact of foreign-originating emissions on nonattainment areas within the United States and the associated regulatory measures.
Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act or the FENCES Act
This bill modifies standards under the Clean Air Act to exempt states from penalties for emissions outside of the state’s control.
The bill provides that certain nonattainment areas (i.e., those classified as severe or extreme for ozone or as serious for particulate matter) are not subject to sanctions for implementation plan deficiencies or for fees for failing to attain national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) if the state demonstrates it would have avoided deficiencies or attained its standards but for emissions outside of its control (e.g., emissions from an exceptional event like a wildfire). A state must renew its demonstration at least once every five years for exemption from the sanctions or fees to continue to apply.
The bill specifies that an area within a state may not be designated as a nonattainment area regarding any new or revised NAAQS for a pollutant if the state demonstrates it would be in attainment but for emissions emanating from outside of the country, regardless of whether the emissions resulted from human activity.
For purposes of approving a state implementation plan or meeting certain NAAQS, current law provides that a state may demonstrate to the Environmental Protection Agency that but for emissions emanating from outside of the country, it would have attained applicable NAAQS by the attainment date for certain pollutants. The bill specifies that such emissions emanating from outside the country may include emissions that result from human activity.