Chairman Guthrie Applauds Repeal of California EV Mandates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed three resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act, which repeal disastrous electric vehicle (EV) mandates. “By rejecting EV mandates, the signing of these resolutions is a victory for American consumers who reject government mandates and one-size-fits-all policies,” said Chairman Guthrie. “Without this repeal, the special rules for California would have led to higher prices on both new and used vehicles, furthered our dependence on China, and overwhelmed our already-strained electric grid. Instead, Congressional Republicans and President Trump are standing up for American consumers by rolling back the worst policies of the Biden-Harris Administration. Thank you to Vice Chairman Joyce, Congressman Obernolte, and Congressman James for your work to ensure that families and businesses can continue choosing the vehicles they need.” Read an Op-Ed from Chairman Guthrie, Vice Chairman Joyce, Congressman James, and Congressman Obernolte on these resolutions here . Background: The Clean Air Act generally preempts individual states from setting their own vehicle emission standards. However, section 209 of the Clean Air Act allows the Environmental Protection Agency to waive state preemption for California. This carveout was intended to allow California to implement stricter air vehicle emission standards to address “compelling and extraordinary circumstances” involving local air pollution – not to remake the auto industry and limit consumer choice nationwide. The Biden-Harris EPA granted these waivers that have allowed California to ban sales of new gas, diesel, and hybrid vehicles, as well as heavy-duty trucks, while also mandating 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035. H.J. Res. 88, led by Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, repeals California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) waiver, which would have the State to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. H.J. Res. 87, led by Rep. John James (MI-10), repeals California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) waiver, which would have allowed the State to mandate the sale of zero-emission trucks. H.J. Res. 89, led by Rep. Jay Obernolte (CA-23), puts an end to California’s implementation of its most recent nitrogen oxide (NOx) engine emission standards, which would have created burdensome and unworkable standards for heavy-duty, on-road engines. ###