The dispute over California's emission regulations continues

Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced resolutions aimed at eliminating California’s advanced emission standards.

Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced resolutions to eliminate California’s advanced emission standards, including the Advanced Clean Trucks program and other vehicle regulations. This initiative comes despite the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asserting that Congress does not have the authority to revoke these exemptions, which have been granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On April 3, Representative John James, a Republican from Michigan, introduced a resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to remove the EPA exemption for advanced clean trucks. On the same day, Representative Jay Obernolte, a Republican from California, introduced another resolution to repeal the low NOx standard for heavy-duty vehicles and the Advanced Clean Cars II program. This measure also seeks to eliminate Advanced Clean Cars II entirely.

Senators warn that California’s regulations could paralyze the national truck manufacturing industry

Representative Kiley, in a statement, called Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies an “affront to the freedom of Californians” and an economic burden on the rest of the country. He criticized the Biden administration’s support for these measures, stating that the resolutions introduced would offer an opportunity to “restore common sense.”

Republican Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Deb Fischer, and Markwayne Mullin also introduced similar resolutions in the Senate, warning that California’s regulations could paralyze the national truck manufacturing industry. Fischer, in a statement, highlighted that these regulations would raise vehicle prices and impact families across the country.

However, the resolutions face significant legal challenges. The GAO has determined on multiple occasions that the exemptions granted by the EPA are not “rules” under the Congressional Review Act, meaning they are not subject to the CRA. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough also reinforced this determination, supporting the GAO’s position.

Truckers support eliminating California’s emission regulations

From the truckers’ perspective, opposition to California’s regulations is particularly strong among small carriers. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), which represents thousands of independent truckers across the country, has expressed concern about the high costs of electric vehicles and the lack of adequate infrastructure for their charging. OOIDA President Todd Spencer has pointed out that small business truckers do not view electric vehicles as a viable option due to high costs and insufficient infrastructure. Furthermore, Spencer noted that many truckers have left California in search of better opportunities due to the state’s strict environmental regulations.

Another point of criticism for truckers is the Omnibus NOx (nitrogen oxides) rule, which applies to heavy-duty trucks. Transporters argue that these regulations are driving up the prices of new vehicles and increasing maintenance costs for trucks already on the road, placing an additional burden on small businesses. Additionally, transporters fear that the implementation of these regulations will further increase the prices of goods and transportation services, which could negatively impact consumer prices.

In summary, the dispute over California’s emission regulations and their exemptions continues to spark intense debate in Congress. While Republican lawmakers fight to reverse these regulations, truckers and other transportation sectors oppose policies they view as a threat to their economic viability. This situation could lead to legal actions that will shape the future of these policies nationwide.