AWC Achieves Wildfire, Prescribed Burns Exclusions to PM NAAQS

In January 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter (PM NAAQS) update, lowering the standard to 9 mg/m3. The EPA maintained that there are multiple avenues to avoid permit gridlock and increased clarity around enforcement of the rule. AWC has continued to push back on this assumption by the EPA and successfully advocated for the Agency to place the permitting tools in one location and update the process to exclude wildfire and prescribed burns from being included in non attainment designations.

In addition to working with EPA on implementation, AWC also joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, and other key organizations to challenge the final rule in the D.C. Circuit Court. Since the rule’s release, more than 20 states have also challenged the rule in the court system.

On the legislative side, AWC has monitored developments among various members, including when a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee marked up a NAAQS reform bill. In addition, AWC supported House and Senate Republicans in a Congressional Review Act resolution that sought to reject the final PM NAAQS.