A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category-Deadline Extensions; Correction".
Summary
S.J. Res. 120 is a congressional disapproval resolution under the Congressional Review Act. It targets an Environmental Protection Agency rule titled “Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category—Deadline Extensions; Correction,” published at 91 Fed. Reg. 4016 on January 30, 2026. If enacted, the resolution would nullify that EPA rule and prevent it from taking effect.
The resolution does not itself create new environmental standards or amend the underlying Clean Water Act framework. Instead, it would overturn a specific EPA administrative action related to compliance deadlines for steam electric power generating facilities subject to wastewater effluent limits. Its practical effect would be to restore the prior regulatory posture and remove the rule’s deadline extension correction from federal law.
Impact
If adopted, the joint resolution would have the legal effect of disapproving the EPA rule and making it “have no force or effect” under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code. That would affect EPA implementation of effluent limitation guidelines for steam electric power plants and could alter compliance timing for regulated utilities and power generators. The bill would not directly change statutory text, but it would constrain the agency’s ability to enforce or rely on the challenged rule and could influence future rulemaking in this area.
Sentiment
Based on the available context, the bill appears to be a targeted oversight measure rather than a broadly debated policy package. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, so no formal sentiment can be measured from floor debate or roll call history. The resolution’s introduction by a senator and referral to the Environment and Public Works Committee suggest it is part of a regulatory review process, with likely support from those favoring tighter congressional control over EPA actions and opposition from those who support the agency’s rulemaking.
Contention
The central point of contention is the EPA’s authority to issue or correct deadline extensions for steam electric power plant wastewater standards. Supporters of disapproval would likely argue that the agency’s rule is unnecessary, overly lenient, or procedurally problematic, while opponents would likely contend that the extension correction is needed for workable compliance timelines and environmental implementation. The affected parties are primarily electric utilities, steam electric generating facilities, environmental regulators, and stakeholders concerned with water pollution controls and compliance deadlines.