U.S. Senate Revokes California’s Gasoline Car Ban

News Summary

In a recent Senate vote, California’s ambitious ban on gasoline-powered cars by 2035 was overturned. This decision, which passed 51-44, has sparked backlash from state officials, including plans for a legal challenge from Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta. The move is seen as a political maneuver undermining state rights and environmental goals, with concerns regarding its implications for climate change and consumer choice. Current trends show a plateau in electric vehicle sales, complicating the state’s shift towards cleaner transportation.

California—In a significant legislative decision, the U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to revoke California’s ambitious ban on gasoline-powered cars by the year 2035. This action was taken under the Congressional Review Act, allowing Congress to overturn regulations implemented at the federal level. The vote has prompted a strong response from California’s government officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, who announced plans to file a legal challenge against this Congressional action.

In 2020, Governor Newsom had issued an executive order aimed at phasing out all sales of gas-powered vehicles in California. The initiative was part of a broader strategy to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, in alignment with the state’s environmental goals. The state’s authority to enforce its own climate emission standards, established under the Clean Air Act of 1970, relies on federal approval, which was secured when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a waiver for the gas car phaseout in December 2020, shortly before President Biden took office.

In light of the Senate’s recent vote, Governor Newsom expressed concerns that this decision undermines U.S. leadership in combating climate change and sets a dangerous political precedent that infringes on state rights. He described the Senate’s action as a “nuclear option” that disrupts established Senate practices and targets California’s progressive policies. Newsom characterized the Senate’s decision as illegitimate, arguing that it ignored critical findings related to the legitimacy of the vote, as determined by the Senate parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office.

In response to the Senate’s rollback of the gasoline car ban, state lawmakers are framing the revocation as a decision influenced by politics, rather than sound environmental policy. Senate Republicans celebrated the vote as a victory over the perceived overreach of Governor Newsom’s climate policies, suggesting that it reflects a broader concern about government control over personal choices regarding vehicles. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher asserted that the ban is restrictive and insufficiently focused on genuine climate strategies.

In the House of Representatives, Congressman Kevin Kiley played a pivotal role in attempts to overturn Newsom’s electric vehicle mandate, advocating that consumers should have the right to choose the vehicles they prefer to drive. Only one Democrat senator, Elissa Slotkin, sided with Republicans in the vote, citing significant concerns from her constituents who work in the auto industry.

Furthermore, current trends indicate a slowdown in electric vehicle sales in California, which have plateaued at around 20% market share. Factors contributing to this stagnation include challenges related to charging infrastructure and rising gas prices. Tesla, a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, saw its market share decline by 12% in the first quarter, a trend attributed partly to political tensions surrounding its CEO, Elon Musk.

Brian Maas, a representative from the California New Car Dealers Association, highlighted that ongoing mandates may not be feasible if manufacturers are unable to meet future production targets for electric vehicles. In addition, President Newsom has proposed regulations aimed at managing the petroleum industry due to the state’s high gas costs, a move that Republicans argue could potentially exacerbate the problem of rising prices for consumers. High state taxes on gasoline are also viewed by some as a contributor to the financial strain experienced by drivers in California.

As part of his administration’s plan to address these economic challenges, Newsom is working on measures to stabilize gas prices and manage supply effectively within the state. The legal challenge to the Senate’s revocation of the gas car ban and ongoing discussions regarding the future of California’s automotive rule-making will likely shape the state’s legislative landscape in the months to come.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• CBS News: California Plan Gas Car Ban Could Hit Dead End
• Wikipedia: California Executive Order N-79-20
• Sacramento Bee: California Senate Votes to Block Gas Car Ban
• Google Search: California gasoline car ban
• MSN: Senate Votes to Block California Gasoline Car Ban
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Climate Change
• Sacramento Bee: Newsom’s Response to Gas Car Ban Repeal
• Google News: California gasoline car ban Senate decision