U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) joined 28 of his colleagues last week in introducing legislation that would block an aggressive tailpipe emissions proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a plan the senator said essentially gives a mandate for the production of electric vehicles.
“Imposing unworkable mandates on car manufacturers will mean higher costs and fewer choices for U.S. consumers while resulting in older, less efficient vehicles remaining on the road,” Sen. Hoeven said. “That’s the wrong path forward for our nation.”
Sen. Hoeven joined bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) in introducing the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act of 2023, S. 3094. The bill, if enacted, would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a proposed rule that would set emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases for certain vehicles.
The CARS Act would also prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. This includes any regulation prescribed on or after Jan. 1, 2021, according to a bill summary. In addition, S. 3094 would require the EPA to update any regulations since Jan. 1, 2021, that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine within two years.
“Instead of burdensome and costly federal rules, we should work to build a business environment that fosters innovation and choice in the marketplace,” Sen. Hoeven said.
Other cosponsors of the bill include U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Joe Manchin (D-WV).
S. 3094 is under consideration in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.