What’s under attack in New Jersey

The EPA is proposing to cancel all federal rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas power plants, arguing that the Clean Air Act does not give the EPA authority to regulate power plant emissions for climate change reasons. This would overturn emission standards set in 2015 and 2024 that required power plants to reduce their carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The move would remove one of the main federal tools for reducing emissions from electricity generation.

The EPA is canceling most of its 2024 rules that required power plants burning coal and gas to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. This includes eliminating emission limits for existing coal plants and removing carbon capture requirements for new gas turbines. The EPA is also considering repealing all federal greenhouse gas rules for fossil fuel power plants.

The EPA is proposing to cancel its previous determination that greenhouse gases from power plants are harmful to public health and to eliminate federal regulations that limit carbon dioxide and methane emissions from power plants. This would reverse emissions-reduction requirements that have been in place under the Clean Air Act. New Jersey residents and utilities would need to determine whether they follow any remaining state rules or can operate power plants with fewer emissions controls.

This bill would pause New Jersey's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program that puts a price on carbon emissions from power plants to reduce pollution. In its place, the bill creates a temporary fee on energy generation units in New Jersey. The bill was introduced in the Assembly in September 2026 but has not yet been voted on.

The Transportation Department is proposing to create separate, less strict noise limits for trains traveling faster than 160 miles per hour, while keeping the current stricter rules in place for slower trains. This change is meant to make it easier for railroads to build and operate high-speed rail without reducing public health protections. Trains going 160 mph or slower would still follow the existing noise rules.

The EPA is proposing to let states and local air agencies decide how much public participation is needed for permits issued to small industrial sources and factories, rather than having federal rules mandate a fixed level. If approved, this would give states more flexibility to set their own public participation standards for these air permits. The change affects how New Jersey and other states manage their air quality permitting processes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is canceling pollution standards it created in 2024 for rubber tire manufacturing plants. Congress voted to reject these standards, and the President agreed, so the EPA is removing them from federal law. This means rubber tire factories no longer have to follow those specific pollution limits.

The EPA is proposing to change how it enforces air-quality rules when an area moves to a higher pollution category. Under the new proposal, areas would only have to follow pollution-control rules for their current category, not rules from their previous category. This could affect New Jersey communities and other areas with ozone pollution problems.

The EPA is partly taking back its previous approval of certain changes New Jersey made to how it handles air pollution during equipment startups, shutdowns, and malfunctions. This means some of those changes New Jersey proposed are no longer approved and the state may need to revise its air quality plan. The action affects how power plants and factories in the state manage emissions during these operational periods.

The EPA is withdrawing some of its earlier findings that certain states (including New Jersey's region) failed to submit required air quality plans. Instead of enforcing stricter pollution limits during equipment startup, shutdown, and malfunction periods, the EPA is allowing states to keep existing, less stringent standards for those times. This change means polluters can continue operating under older, more permissive rules rather than submitting updated plans that would tighten controls.

The EPA is partially withdrawing its earlier finding that New Jersey failed to submit updates to its air quality plan regarding how power plants and factories can emit excess pollution during startup, shutdown, and malfunction periods. This means the EPA is reinstating part of a non-compliance determination for New Jersey's state implementation plan. The action addresses whether New Jersey's rules adequately limit excess emissions during these operational transitions.

The EPA is withdrawing enforcement findings against 13 states and local air agencies that missed deadlines to update their air quality plans regarding pollution during equipment startup, shutdown, and malfunction. A federal court partially sided with the states, so the EPA is no longer requiring them to submit these specific plan revisions or face penalties. This means certain EPA deadline-driven sanctions and federal backup plans are no longer in effect for the affected states.

The EPA is proposing to delay when new, stricter pollution standards for cars and trucks take effect. Instead of starting in 2027, the stricter Tier 4 standards would now begin in 2029 for some vehicles, while older Tier 3 standards would continue for 2027 and 2028. The EPA says this change is needed because of feasibility concerns with manufacturers meeting the tighter deadlines.

This bill would withdraw New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program that limits carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade system. It would also repeal the Global Warming Response Act, which is New Jersey's main climate change law. This is a significant reversal of the state's climate commitments and would eliminate major environmental protections.

The EPA is reviewing and updating federal rules that limit dangerous air pollution from oil and natural gas facilities. The EPA is proposing to keep most existing pollution standards the same, but is considering whether to add new rules for previously unregulated equipment like storage tanks and loading operations at oil and gas sites. The agency is also proposing some minor technical fixes to the current regulations.

The EPA is reconsidering pollution rules for oil and natural gas companies to address climate concerns. These updated standards will set new limits on how much pollution new, rebuilt, or significantly changed oil and gas facilities can release into the air. The rules also establish guidelines for existing facilities to reduce their emissions over time.

New Jersey is taking an official stand against federal Environmental Protection Agency rules that would weaken or eliminate requirements for vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The state is condemning the EPA's decision to rescind its finding that greenhouse gases are dangerous to the environment and to eliminate emission standards for cars, trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles. This resolution expresses New Jersey's opposition to these federal actions.