H.R. 1131: To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to authorize the use of flexible air permitting with respect to certain critical energy resource facilities, and for other purposes.

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise its Title V operating permit regulations under the Clean Air Act. Such permits set forth compliance requirements related to air pollution for certain facilities (i.e., sources).

Specifically, the bill requires the EPA to revise regulations to authorize the owner or operator of a critical energy resource facility to utilize flexible air permitting, as described in the final rule titled Operating Permit Programs; Flexible Air Permitting Rule published on October 6, 2009. The bill also requires the regulations to facilitate flexible, market-responsive operations (as described in the final rule) with respect to critical energy resource facilities.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.