US Federal House Bill HB7554

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 2/12/26

Caption

CARBON Act

Summary

HB7554, titled the “Curtailing Agency Reach and Bureaucracy Overreach on Net-Zero Act” or the “CARBON Act,” would amend the Clean Air Act’s definition of “air pollutant” to expressly exclude carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. In practical terms, the bill would remove three major greenhouse gases from the statutory category that federal air-quality regulators use when determining what substances can be regulated under the Clean Air Act. The measure is narrowly drafted and does not create a new regulatory program; instead, it changes the underlying definition in Section 302(g) of the Clean Air Act. Because that definition is foundational to EPA authority under the statute, the bill would likely limit or eliminate federal Clean Air Act regulation of these gases as air pollutants, affecting future rulemaking, enforcement, and potentially existing climate-related regulatory approaches tied to greenhouse gas emissions.

Impact

If enacted, HB7554 would amend federal law by changing the Clean Air Act’s definition of “air pollutant” at 42 U.S.C. 7602(g) to exclude carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. That would directly affect the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate those gases under the Clean Air Act and could constrain federal climate and emissions rules that rely on that definition. The bill would primarily affect federal regulators, regulated industries such as power generation, oil and gas, manufacturing, transportation, and any state or local programs that coordinate with or mirror federal greenhouse-gas regulation.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal debate or roll-call sentiment is available. Based on the bill’s title and text, the measure appears to be framed by its sponsor as a deregulatory response to climate-related federal oversight, suggesting support from those favoring reduced EPA authority and opposition from those supporting greenhouse-gas regulation. The absence of recorded discussion means the available context does not show bipartisan support or organized compromise.

Contention

The central point of contention is whether greenhouse gases should remain within the Clean Air Act’s definition of “air pollutant.” Supporters would likely argue that excluding carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide prevents regulatory overreach and limits burdens on industry, while opponents would likely argue that the change would weaken federal climate policy and remove an important legal basis for controlling emissions. The bill’s impact on EPA authority and on climate regulation more broadly is the main issue likely to divide stakeholders, including environmental advocates, regulated industries, and policymakers focused on emissions reduction.