ORDEAL Act of 2015

To amend the Clean Air Act to delay the review and revision of the national ambient air quality standards for ozone. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ozone Regulatory Delay and Extension of Assessment Length Act of 2015 ORDEAL Act of 2015 2. National ambient air quality standards Section 109(d) of the Clean Air Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7409(d) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking (d)(1) Not later than December 31, 1980, and at five-year intervals (d) Review and revision of criteria and standards; independent scientific review committee; appointment; advisory functions (1) Review and revision of criteria and standards (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (C), not later than December 31, 1980, and at 10-year intervals ; (B) in the second sentence, by striking The Administrator (B) Early and frequent review and revision Except with respect to any national ambient air quality standard promulgated under this section for ozone concentrations, the Administrator ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (C) National ambient air quality standards for ozone concentrations Not earlier than February 1, 2018, but not later than December 31, 2018, and at 10-year intervals thereafter, the Administrator shall, with respect to national ambient air quality standards for ozone concentrations— (i) complete a thorough review of any standard promulgated under this section; and (ii) make revisions to the standards described in clause (i) and promulgate new standards as may be appropriate in accordance with section 108 and subsection (b). ; and (2) in paragraph (2)(B)— (A) by striking (B) Not later than January 1, 1980, and at five-year intervals (B) Review (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), not later than January 1, 1980, and at 10-year intervals ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (ii) National ambient air quality standards for ozone concentrations Not earlier than February 1, 2018, and at 10-year intervals thereafter, the committee referred to in subparagraph (A) shall, with respect to national ambient air quality standards for ozone concentrations— (I) complete a review of any standard promulgated under this section; and (II) recommend to the Administrator any new standard and any revision to the standards described in subclause (I) as may be appropriate under section 108 and subsection (b). .

Summary: Ozone Regulatory Delay and Extension of Assessment Length Act of 2015 or the ORDEAL Act of 2015 This bill amends the Clean Air Act to lengthen from 5 years to 10 years the intervals at which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to review and revise air quality criteria and primary and secondary national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This bill eliminates the EPA's authority to review and revise criteria or promulgate new standards for ozone concentrations earlier or more frequently than required. The EPA may not review and revise NAAQS for ozone concentrations before February 1, 2018. The EPA must complete a thorough review of the NAAQS for ozone concentrations and make revisions no later December 31, 2018. The intervals at which an independent scientific review committee is required to review air quality criteria and NAAQS and recommend any new standards or revisions to existing criteria and standards are lengthened from 5 years to 10 years. The bill delays the review by an independent scientific review committee of NAAQS for ozone concentrations until February 1, 2018.