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Removes carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide from a specific Clean Air Act statutory definition used in 42 U.S.C. 7602(g), so those three greenhouse gases are no longer covered by that definition for purposes of that provision. The change limits the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to use that statutory term to regulate those gases under that particular legal mechanism. No funding or new programs are created and no effective date is specified.
The bill reduces regulatory obligations, enforcement risk, and legal ambiguity for emitters under §7602(g), but at the cost of limiting a federal enforcement route to cut major greenhouse-gas emissions—potentially slowing emissions reductions and raising long-term climate harms and costs.
Businesses, regulated industries, and (indirectly) households will face fewer federal regulatory obligations under §7602(g) for CO2, CH4, and N2O, lowering compliance costs and administrative burdens.
Regulated entities and legal practitioners gain clearer statutory boundaries and reduced risk of EPA enforcement actions tied specifically to §7602(g), reducing potential fines and legal uncertainty about that statutory phrase.
People exposed to climate-related harms (including coastal communities and vulnerable populations) may experience slower reductions in CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions, increasing health and safety risks from extreme heat, storms, flooding, and other climate impacts.
Households, municipalities, and local economies may face larger long-term economic costs from worsened climate impacts (flooding, heat, storms) if the EPA's authority to regulate major greenhouse gases is constrained.
State and local governments and environmental groups will have fewer federal legal avenues to compel greenhouse-gas emissions reductions, limiting enforcement options and recourse.
If EPA attempts to regulate greenhouse gases through other statutory mechanisms, businesses, regulators, and the public could face increased regulatory uncertainty and potentially slower, more complex rulemaking pathways.
Amends 42 U.S.C. § 7602(g) by adding language excluding carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide from the definition of “such term.”
Limits the scope of the statutory definition in § 7602(g) so it cannot be used to cover carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide for purposes tied to that definition.
Specifies that regulatory authorities or programs that rely on the phrase “such term” in § 7602(g) do not apply to CO2, CH4, or N2O.
Reduces the basis for the EPA to exercise enforcement or regulatory powers under § 7602(g) with respect to carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
Who is affected and how:
Broader consequences:
Limitations of this analysis:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Robert F. Onder · Last progress February 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House