Just moments ago, the
United States Senate approved Congressional
Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn
Biden-era rules granting Clean Air Act waivers
to California. The CRA to stop California’s ban
on the internal combustion engine passed by a
vote of 51 – 44 with Senator Slotkin (D-MI)
voting with Republicans and the Advance Clean
Trucks rule is expected to be overturned
shortly. The CRA to overturn California’s
heavy-duty NOx rules is expected to get a final
vote when the Senate returns from its Memorial
Day recess.
The CRA resolutions were
strongly supported by the Energy Marketers of
America. Under the CRA, Congress is empowered to
review “rules” issued by federal agencies,
including EPA, before the rules take effect.
Congress may review a rule for a period of 60
days and then disapprove it using special
procedures, including a joint resolution of
disapproval. The EPA transmitted the three
waiver approvals to Congress earlier this year,
starting the clock for review of the waivers by
lawmakers.
Earlier this month, the House
approved the CRAs with
35 Democrats in support to stop California
from dictating which cars motorists should drive
and
13 democrats voted to block California’s
electric truck mandate.
California’s ACC
II rule includes a mandate for vehicle
manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of
zero-emission vehicles in the State, beginning
in model year 2026, and culminating in a ban on
internal combustion engine-powered vehicles in
2035. To date, 17 states have adopted portions
of California’s light- and heavy-duty vehicle
regulations. By design, California’s ACC II
rules operate to reduce the liquid fuels market
by giving preferential treatment to electric
vehicles, thereby injuring energy marketers and
others who participate in the market. EPA’s
waivers not only increase vehicle costs but also
increase the costs of goods and the cost of
living for American families.
“EMA
applauds the Senate for taking swift action to
stop California’s ban on the internal combustion
engine. Liquid fuels are here to stay, and small
business energy marketers applaud Senate
Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for
maneuvering through the Senate’s complex floor
debate rules to make the CRA votes a reality,”
said EMA President Rob Underwood. |
