The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a business meeting Sept. 16, considering three bills and 21 General Services Administration prospectuses. The meeting produced a 19-0 favorable report for the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act, while the committee adopted a substitute amendment to the Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act by voice vote.

The meeting considered S.5045, which would amend the Clean Air Act’s handling of air-quality monitoring for prescribed fires. It also considered S.3135, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency administrator to authorize manufacturers of certain vehicles to suspend engine-derate or shutdown functions during prolonged cold weather.

The committee also considered S.5249, which would align uranium-enrichment-facility licensing with licensing for other fuel-cycle facilities under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. The agenda included leases at Veterans Administration facilities and alterations to federal buildings nationwide.

What they’re saying:

  • Sen. Shelley Capito (R-WV) said S.3135 would authorize manufacturers to override derate functions in diesel vehicles and farm equipment operating in targeted cold-weather environments.
  • Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said he would oppose S.3135.
  • Whitehouse said he would support the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act and the bipartisan More American Fuel Act.

Capito said a derate can limit or shut down a diesel engine or farm equipment. The record also describes concerns that derates could strand truck drivers or harm farm harvests.

Whitehouse said prescribed fires can reduce wildfire intensity in some environments, while their smoke may trigger regulation under the Clean Air Act. He said S.5045 would make it easier for states to obtain exemptions related to smoke pollution from prescribed burns.

Whitehouse also supported S.5249, saying it would help meet fuel demand for current and future reactors with American fuel and reduce dependence on Russian uranium.

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