S. 452 – ORDEAL Act of 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 1:20 PM UTC

The ORDEAL Act of 2017 changes the Clean Air Act so that the 2015 national ozone air‑quality standards are not enforced until January 1, 2025. After that date, the Environmental Protection Agency must start a new rulemaking to set fresh ozone standards. The bill also lengthens how often ozone standards are reviewed and creates a committee to evaluate and recommend any new standards.

Key Provisions

Delays enforcement and implementation of the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards until Jan 1 2025.
Requires the EPA to begin a new rulemaking for ozone standards no earlier than Jan 1 2025.
Changes the review schedule for ozone standards from five‑year to ten‑year intervals.
Establishes a committee to review existing ozone standards and recommend new or revised standards to the EPA.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-103.

Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety Subcommittee Subcommittee

May 23, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 27, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

February 27, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-103.

Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety Subcommittee Subcommittee

May 23, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 452 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Tom CottonR-AR · May 23, 2017

Mr. President, I have 8 requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the majority and minority leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of…

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 27, 2017

II

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 452

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 27, 2017

Mr. Flake (for himself, Mr. McCain, Mr. Wicker, Mrs. Capito, and Mr. Cotton) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

A BILL

To amend the Clean Air Act to delay the enforcement and implementation of the 2015 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 2017 or the ORDEAL Act of 2017.

2.

National ambient air quality standards

Section 109(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409(d)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

in the first sentence, by striking (d)(1) Not later than December 31, 1980, and at five-year intervals and inserting the following:

(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

Not later than December 31, 1980, and at 10-year intervals

;

(B)

in the second sentence, by striking The Administrator and inserting the following:

(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)

2015 national ambient air quality standards for ozone concentrations

(i)

In general

The Administrator shall delay the enforcement and implementation of the final rule entitled National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone (80 Fed. Reg. 65292 (October 26, 2015)) until January 1, 2025.

(ii)

New rulemaking

Not earlier than January 1, 2025, the Administrator shall initiate a new rulemaking to promulgate new national ambient air quality standards for ozone concentrations.

; and

(2)

in paragraph (2)(B)—

(A)

by striking (B) Not later than January 1, 1980, and at five-year intervals and inserting the following:

(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 January 1, 2025, 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).

.