Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01) joined a letter led by Representatives Bob Latta (OH-05), Greg Bilirakis (FL-12), and John Joyce (PA-13), along with House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), and Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21), urging President Biden to reject a forthcoming waiver request from the state of California that will allow for a ban of sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, or gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035.
“Right now, electric vehicles are not only significantly more expensive than gas-powered vehicles, but outright impractical for families like mine who live in rural areas,” said Rep. Finstad. Under the failed leadership of Governor Walz, Minnesota has already made its auto regulations identical to that of California, and if the EPA does not reject this waiver request, we can be all but certain that a ban on gas-powered cars is soon to follow in our state. Forcing America into an all-electric fleet will undoubtedly impede America’s return to energy independence, but more importantly – it will give California the power to make the decision for every American family about what kind of car they can drive.”
“Earlier this year, America’s energy regulators warned states about elevated risks to the reliability of our electric grid and the increased threat of brown and black outs,” said Rep. Latta. “Instead of heeding those warnings, California politicians are pursuing stifling new regulations to ban gas- and diesel-powered cars by 2035. This effort will extend far beyond California’s borders and will make it more difficult for Americans to get to work, drop their kids off at school, and travel to visit loved ones. We cannot forget, California recently alerted residents to substantially reduce their energy consumption, and now, they are contradicting themselves by forcing folks to become more reliant on the electric grid through the mandatory transition from traditional vehicles to electric-only vehicles. These actions are misguided and will further exacerbate the strain on our grid. California’s proposal is wrong; we must stand up now to preserve the reliability of our nation’s electric grid and the rights of Americans to choose the vehicles they want to drive.”
“California’s proposal is another example of liberal elitists being detached from the real constraints on the energy grid and the average American consumer,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “This summer we already saw California’s energy grid struggle to meet growing energy demands, and these proposed regulations would only exacerbate that strain. With the higher-than-average cost of an EV vehicle, the average Californian might find themselves not only unable to afford a new EV vehicle, but even if they are, potentially unable to keep it reliably charged due to brown or black outs. All Americans should have the freedom to choose which vehicle makes the most sense for their particular circumstances and budgets, and the EPA should not enable the Californian elite to set a precedent that could have negative impacts on all Americans.”
“California’s discriminatory waiver request would set a costly and dangerous precedent”, said Rep. Joyce. “Americans should not be coerced into making purchases they cannot afford, and they should be free to drive the roads built with their tax dollars in the vehicles they otherwise would choose to drive. This heavy-handed proposal picks winners and losers, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in urging the EPA to deny this outrageous request.”
Click here to read the letter.
“Right now, electric vehicles are not only significantly more expensive than gas-powered vehicles, but outright impractical for families like mine who live in rural areas,” said Rep. Finstad. Under the failed leadership of Governor Walz, Minnesota has already made its auto regulations identical to that of California, and if the EPA does not reject this waiver request, we can be all but certain that a ban on gas-powered cars is soon to follow in our state. Forcing America into an all-electric fleet will undoubtedly impede America’s return to energy independence, but more importantly – it will give California the power to make the decision for every American family about what kind of car they can drive.”
“Earlier this year, America’s energy regulators warned states about elevated risks to the reliability of our electric grid and the increased threat of brown and black outs,” said Rep. Latta. “Instead of heeding those warnings, California politicians are pursuing stifling new regulations to ban gas- and diesel-powered cars by 2035. This effort will extend far beyond California’s borders and will make it more difficult for Americans to get to work, drop their kids off at school, and travel to visit loved ones. We cannot forget, California recently alerted residents to substantially reduce their energy consumption, and now, they are contradicting themselves by forcing folks to become more reliant on the electric grid through the mandatory transition from traditional vehicles to electric-only vehicles. These actions are misguided and will further exacerbate the strain on our grid. California’s proposal is wrong; we must stand up now to preserve the reliability of our nation’s electric grid and the rights of Americans to choose the vehicles they want to drive.”
“California’s proposal is another example of liberal elitists being detached from the real constraints on the energy grid and the average American consumer,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “This summer we already saw California’s energy grid struggle to meet growing energy demands, and these proposed regulations would only exacerbate that strain. With the higher-than-average cost of an EV vehicle, the average Californian might find themselves not only unable to afford a new EV vehicle, but even if they are, potentially unable to keep it reliably charged due to brown or black outs. All Americans should have the freedom to choose which vehicle makes the most sense for their particular circumstances and budgets, and the EPA should not enable the Californian elite to set a precedent that could have negative impacts on all Americans.”
“California’s discriminatory waiver request would set a costly and dangerous precedent”, said Rep. Joyce. “Americans should not be coerced into making purchases they cannot afford, and they should be free to drive the roads built with their tax dollars in the vehicles they otherwise would choose to drive. This heavy-handed proposal picks winners and losers, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in urging the EPA to deny this outrageous request.”
Click here to read the letter.
