(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R – Richvale) introduced new legislation, The Revoking Engine and Vehicle (REV) Requirements Act. This bill will repeal California’s Clean Air Act waiver and will terminate all existing waivers provided in the repealed sections.
The Revoking Engine and Vehicle (REV) Requirements Act is in response to the California Air Resource Board’s August 24th Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) rule which requires all new cars and light trucks sold in California to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Under the Clean Air Act, Federal motor vehicle emissions standards preempt State Standards, except for those in California, which under the Clean Air Amendments of 1970, qualifies for a waiver. Seventeen additional states have chosen to adopt California’s standards: New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, Virginia, and New Mexico.
“California is abusing their waiver authority and its status as the largest market in the United States to force this change on all Americans. We have a free market; therefore if Americans truly wanted to make the switch to electric vehicles, then they would buy them – no government interference necessary. The truth is that electric vehicles aren’t a reliable option for everyone, nor are they affordable. Just a few days after the California Air Resource Board’s mandate came out, Governor Newsom had to publicly beg electric vehicle owners not to charge their cars due to concerns of the power grid and blackouts. This winter, residents in the Sierra Nevada mountains lost power for days due to heavy snow storms, people with electric vehicles couldn’t charge them to evacuate or heat their homes. Those who want an electric vehicle and can afford it have every right to purchase one. People shouldn’t be compelled to purchase them. The bottom line is that the government has no right to mandate what kind of car you drive.” said Congressman LaMalfa.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
###
