U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis applauded on April 16 the bipartisan passage of the Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability (FENCES) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation aims to protect producers from compliance burdens caused by events beyond their control, such as foreign wildfires or dust storms, and seeks to ensure fair air quality designations.
The issue matters because states across America have faced penalties for pollution that originates outside U.S. borders, including natural events like Canadian wildfires. While current law allows states to adjust air quality plans when foreign emissions interfere with compliance, recent guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency under the Biden administration limited those adjustments to only human-caused emissions.
“I’m thrilled to see the FENCES Act move one step closer to becoming law,” said Lummis. “This legislation will help drive innovation and economic growth across Wyoming by cutting unnecessary red tape. At the same time, the FENCES Act preserves strong Clean Air Act standards while implementing commonsense policies that account for pollution beyond a state’s control. I look forward to seeing this legislation make its way to the Senate.”
The bill restores clarity by confirming that all foreign emissions—whether natural or man-made—are excluded when determining compliance with national air quality standards and during new facility permitting reviews. It also allows states to consider these emissions earlier in regulatory processes, providing more certainty and efficiency.
Lummis has a background in agriculture and public service; she grew up on a cattle ranch in Laramie County and operated family ranches with her siblings according to her official website. She earned degrees in animal science, biology, and law from the University of Wyoming according to her official website. Throughout her career, she has championed responsible federal budgeting, multiple-use public lands policy, and Wyoming’s energy resources according to her official website.
She dedicated years of service in both chambers of Wyoming’s legislature as well as roles supporting state governance before serving as state treasurer and later representing Wyoming in Congress according to her official website. In Washington D.C., Lummis serves on various committees focused on budgeting and land stewardship; she previously served as a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus according to her official website.
