States would be discouraged from banning gas-powered vehicles under two pieces of legislation introduced this week by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL).
“With inflation already sky-high, drivers should not be forced to purchase a car they cannot afford simply to appease the liberals’ Green New Deal dreams,” Rep. Bost said. “If states choose to force drivers to purchase cars that don’t use gasoline, then they shouldn’t be able to reap the benefits of the federal fuel tax. It’s that simple.”
Rep. Bost on Sept. 6 sponsored the Options for Ownership Act, H.R. 8771, with two Republican cosponsors. The bill would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to withhold 15 percent of federal highway funding from a state that prohibits the sale of motor vehicles that are not zero-emission vehicles, according to the text of the bill.
H.R. 8771 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Also on Sept. 6, Rep. Bost signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Revoking Engine and Vehicle (REV) Requirements Act of 2022, H.R. 8773, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA).
If enacted, H.R. 8773 would amend the Clean Air Act to repeal the waiver authority allowing California to enforce certain standards related to federally regulated motor vehicle emissions, according to the bill’s text.
“California has nowhere near the ability to handle the wholesale forced adoption of electric vehicles. Our grid would have to be completely rebuilt,” said Rep. LaMalfa of the state he represents. “Consumers need to be protected from the whims of governmental overreach.”
H.R. 8773 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.