The U.S House of Representatives voted Thursday to block California’s plan to end sales of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.
The vote was 246-to-164 in favor of revoking the waiver granted to California by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under former President Joe Biden. It came just a day after the House voted to stop California from requiring dealers to sell more zero-emission medium and heavy-duty trucks.
The current policy requires 35 percent of passenger cars and light trucks sold in California to be zero-emission, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen-powered models in 2026, 68 percent in 2030 and 100 percent by 2035. EV sales were 25 percent of total cars sold in state in 2024 according to the California Energy Commission and average 10 percent nationwide.
California is the only state currently able to set its own emission standards due in part to the 1970 Clean Air Act. However, other states can choose to follow the standards, and these rules have been adopted by 11 states including New York, Colorado and Maryland.
California Response
The use of the Congressional Review Act to attempt to repeal California’s Clean Air Act waivers was not taken lightly by California Governor Gavin Newsom as he condemned the move in a statement.
“Trump Republicans are hellbent on making California smoggy again. Clean air didn’t used to be political. In fact, we can thank Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon for our decades-old authority to clean our air,” said Newsom. “Our vehicles program helps clean the air for all Californians, and we’ll continue defending it.”
Newsom also cited the ruling from the Senate parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office which stated that Congress cannot revoke the waivers.
Auto Industry Reaction
Elsewhere, representatives for the oil and gas and auto industries, who have long said these rules were unfeasible, applauded the move.
“Today’s vote was a welcome, and targeted, action by the House to prevent the inevitable jobs and manufacturing fallout from these unachievable regulations,” said John Bozzella, president and chief executive of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, in a statement. “Repealing gas vehicle bans in California and 30 percent of the U.S. auto market is among the most important policies to restore some balance to vehicle emissions regulations; to support a healthy and competitive auto industry in America; and to ensure customers remain free to choose the type of vehicle that works for them and their family.”
Bozzella added that he hopes the Senate would also back the repeal of the waiver. This would be required to officially block the California policy.
It remains to be seen if this and the two other California emission related resolutions will see the Senate floor. Majority leader and Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, has yet to make a public statement on the matter.
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