WASHINGTON — Lawmakers in the U.S. House will vote on a bill this week affecting Virginia’s ability to create stronger emissions standards for vehicles and trucks.
The bill targets “California emissions standards,” policies which call for 100% of cars sold to be electric or emissions-free by 2035. That policy has been partially or fully adopted by Virginia and 16 other states.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to repeal the standards, leading to the legislative effort.
Rob Sargent, program director of Coltura, an energy transition nonprofit, said the federal government should be increasing access to electric vehicles instead of going against policies that promote them.
“EV tax credits and any programs designed to make EVs available to the American people are key,” he said, “and can unlock decades of savings for people for what has been a strain on their household finances.”
A report by the independent Government Accountability Office stated that Congress does not have the authority to repeal the emissions standards. Supporters of the bill have said banning gas cars is an affront to consumer freedom.
More than a half million Virginians are considered “gas super users,” meaning they use significantly more gasoline than the average driver.
Sargent said repealing strong emissions standards would make it harder for states to reduce their carbon footprint.
“If Congress acts to pull the rug out from under those states’ ability to take action to make cars cleaner in their state,” he said, “then it also will undercut the availability of electric vehicles for consumers that would save them money.”
The Senate is considering a similar bill despite opposition from within the Legislature.
