MARYLAND — As the battle over stricter vehicle emission standards continues Republican members of the Maryland House of Delegates are applauding their GOP counterparts in the U.S. House of Representatives for rolling back restrictions and regulations.
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives passed two joint resolutions to curtail California’s ability to set stricter vehicle emissions standards under the federal Clean Air Act.
The resolutions, House Joint Resolution 87 and House Joint Resolution 88, would repeal waivers granted to California that allow the state to implement more stringent clean air rules, which have been adopted by several other states, including Maryland. The measures would halt the California Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations in participating states.
"Electric vehicle mandates do not work, have tremendous costs to our citizens and our economy, and are not supported by the vast majority of car buyers,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany). “California’s extremist policies are not good for Maryland.”
Under regulations adopted by Gov. Wes Moore in 2023, Maryland plans to follow California’s zero-emissions goals. The ACC II rules would require all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035. The ACT mandates that by the same year, zero-emission vehicles make up 55 percent of medium- and heavy-duty pickup and van sales, 75 percent of box truck sales, and 40 percent of truck tractor sales in the state.
In April, Gov. Moore issued an executive order delaying the enforcement of those standards by two years.
Meanwhile in neighboring Delaware Democratic Governor Matt Meyer is looking to roll back similar legislation enacted by his predecessor former Governor John Carney.
On Jan. 29, Republican leaders in Maryland’s House of Delegates sent a letter to the Trump administration requesting the Environmental Protection Agency revoke California’s waiver. On Feb. 14, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin submitted the waiver to Congress for repeal under the Congressional Review Act.
“By tying our emissions standards to California, the majority party attempted to ban the future sale of gas-powered vehicles in our state, even though 95 percent of Maryland drivers are driving vehicles that utilize some form of gas or diesel fuel,” said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy (R-Frederick). “We are grateful that the United States House of Representatives is bringing us one step closer to ending this policy.”
It is unclear whether the resolutions will advance in the Democratic-controlled U.S. Senate.