U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) on Aug. 2 led five fellow Republicans in offering legislation that would prohibit federal agencies from implementing environmental justice standards when issuing rules unless expressly directed by Congress to do so.
The Reducing Environmental Gamesmanship (REGs) Act, H.R. 9277, which includes U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) as a cosponsor, also would nullify two environmental justice executive orders.
“Environmental justice is another ploy by extreme activists to block traditional energy and infrastructure projects and force a green transition,” said Rep. Newhouse, chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. “The reality is that if this agenda is put in place, the very low-income communities the left is claiming to help would be overburdened by higher energy costs.”
According to information provided by Rep. Newhouse’s staff, prioritizing environmental justice over congressional intent has led to longer permitting delays and more red tape, delaying environmental cleanup activities.
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which ended the Chevron doctrine, Rep. Newhouse said he introduced this bill to reclaim Congress’ authority.
H.R. 9277, the congressman said, would “overturn the Biden administration’s environmental justice executive orders to help underserved communities and reclaim Congress’ legislative authority post-Chevron doctrine.”
The bill has been referred to 10 different House committees for consideration, and a companion measure has been introduced by U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-ND) in her chamber.