The U.S. Senate is considering a move to block California’s plan to phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This decision could halt California’s ambitious efforts to transition to electric vehicles, a plan that has influenced other states and automakers. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the plan in 2020, aiming to reduce emissions from vehicles, a major source of pollution. The rules require increasing sales of zero-emission vehicles, reaching 100% by 2035, while allowing the sale of used gas cars and plug-in hybrids.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, announced the Senate’s intention to vote on blocking California’s stricter emissions standards, which are more rigorous than federal rules. Thune argues that California’s policies improperly expand the Clean Air Act and could harm consumers and the economy. The House has already voted to block these standards, and the Senate is expected to follow suit, despite opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.
California has long been allowed to set its own emissions standards, with the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval. President Donald Trump previously revoked this ability, but President Joe Biden restored it in 2022. California’s plan has been adopted by eleven other states and Washington, D.C., but some states are reconsidering their commitments.
Governor Newsom and state air regulators plan to sue if the Senate measure advances, arguing that the state’s policies are legal. Newsom has emphasized the importance of these standards for reducing pollution and maintaining American car industry leadership. The Senate’s decision could have significant implications for the future of vehicle emissions standards across the United States.
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