BGOV Bill Analysis: H.R. 6409, Transboundary Air Pollution

Harmful pollutants originating from outside the US would be excluded when evaluating a state’s compliance with federal air quality standards under H.R. 6409.

The measure would amend the Clean Air Act to modify how the Environmental Protection Agency treats emissions from Mexico and Canada — including from man-made sources as well as natural events such as wildfires — when determining whether an area meets national ambient air quality standards.

Under the bill, the EPA couldn’t designate a “nonattainment area” if the state demonstrates that the area would be in compliance with federal standards if not for emissions ...