- Waiver in waning days of administration forces unpopular policy on 35% of U.S.
- Policy risks driving energy prices higher by increasing electricity demand
WASHINGTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after the Biden Administration approved California’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver. The waiver is required for California to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II regulation – which will effectively outlaw the sales of internal combustion engine vehicles starting in 2035.
“The holiday season is supposed to be a time of charitable giving. There is nothing charitable about taking away the ability of families to purchase cars that meet their mobility needs by forcing the purchase of more expensive, less reliable vehicles,” CEA President David Holt said. “Banning the sale of new traditional cars and trucks by 2035 for nearly 35% of the country will place undue economic hardships on families and communities that can least afford it. This kind of mandate is unpopular and would force even more electricity demand onto a grid that is struggling to meet unprecedented demand from AI and data centers, which in turn would lead to higher energy prices and less reliability.”
CEA’s 2023 Freedom to Fuel: Consumer Choice in the Automotive Marketplace report details how electric vehicle mandates will force consumers into paying more in overall transportation costs and create potentially catastrophic pressure on the electric grid. It also examines key constraints that must be addressed by policymakers before widespread EV adoption can successfully occur, including infrastructure build-out, the ability of electric generation to meet increased demand and critical mineral scarcity.
Click here to read the report.
###
About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. We are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.
Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org