New York Rep. Bill Owens (D) is trying again with what he calls "common sense" legislation that would allow U.S. EPA to grant exemptions to asbestos regulations if a building is on the verge of collapse.

Owens, who introduced the same legislation last year, said his H.R. 204 is rooted in Nikki's Place, an abandoned bar in New York's village of Malone.

The village wanted to demolish the building but couldn't because of costly EPA Clean Air Act regulations that require specific asbestos containment procedures when renovating or demolishing buildings.

As a result, the building collapsed, exposing nearby residents to asbestos and forcing EPA to step in to help with the cleanup.

Owens said the circumstances show that the regulations "just don't make sense."

"In many of our communities, we have abandoned properties that have asbestos in them," Owens told E&E Daily. "Under the current rules, the EPA cannot step in and provide assistance unless the building collapses."

Specifically, the bill would grant EPA the ability to waive certain asbestos regulations governing the demolition of contaminated buildings. To qualify, a structure would have to be condemned and reasonably expected to collapse.

The legislation didn't advance through committee last year. To avoid the same fate, Owens said he is reaching out to Republicans he believes might be receptive to it.