More than 70 organizations urge Congress to revoke federal approval of costly CA mandates with national impact

WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than70 consumer, energy and manufacturing organizations today sent a letter to leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives urging them to exercise Congressional Review Act (CRA) authority to overturn six waiver rules from EPA authorizing the State of California to impose costly electrification mandates for vehicles, small engines, ports and marine vessels.

The letter notes: "Each of these [California] rules carries significant implications for consumers, fuel producers, equipment manufacturers, the maritime industry and the broader U.S. economy. Policies of this magnitude should be decided by Congress, not a single state."

Organizations signed onto the letter raised the following points as well:

• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)

  "Mandates and bans that start in Sacramento don't stop at California's borders. They raise costs for consumers and manufacturers, limit choices and threaten energy security for Americans around the country. Congress should pass all six CRA resolutions to stop California bureaucrats from imposing their agenda - and their prices - on the rest of America." - Chet Thompson, President and CEO, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)

• American Petroleum Institute (API)

  "These waivers would allow California's vehicle, small engine, and marine-related mandates to affect consumers across the country. We urge Congress to move forward in overturning these rules and help restore consistency while protecting consumer choice and affordability." - Kristin Whitman, Senior Vice President of Federal Relations, American Petroleum Institute (API)

• Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)

  "Agricultural retailers depend on light-duty trucks, small-engine equipment, and other essential tools to serve farmers every day. The Agricultural Retailers Association supports Congressional action to protect consumer choice and ensure major vehicle and engine policy decisions are made at the national level, and therefore consistent from state to state, preserving reliable options for agriculture and rural America." - Daren Coppock, President and CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)

• Energy Marketers of America (EMA)

  "Passing these CRAs ends California's ability to force its vehicle mandates on the entire country, preserves Americans' right to choose the cars and equipment that work for them, and helps keep those options affordable."- Rob Underwood, President, Energy Marketers of America (EMA)

• United States Chamber of Commerce

  "We applaud Congress's efforts to right-size regulatory overreach and ensure policies with nationwide implications preserve consumer choice, affordability and economic competitiveness. From lawn equipment and personal vehicles to commercial vessels that keep America's ports and supply chains moving, disapproving these waivers will remove costly mandates that drive up costs for consumers, businesses, and workers across the country." - Chad Whiteman, Vice President, Environment and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

• Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)

  "For years, CARB's At-Berth Regulation has created significant challenges and uncertainty for California refiners and importers at a time when stabilizing the industry is a top priority. Policymakers and regulators have been unable to solve the many problems related to the At-Berth Regulation and Congress has decided that it is time to move forward. California consumers should not have to bear the brunt of a further constrained fuel supply."- Jodie Muller, President and CEO, Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)

Waivers issued by EPA during previous administrations allowed California to enforce rules imposing incremental vehicle electrification mandates, port and marine vessel electrification and emissions rules, and small gas-engine bans, policies with far-reaching costs and consequences for American manufacturers, consumers and U.S. national security. Other states are able to enforce California's vehicle and maritime regulations as their own.

Brief descriptions of the California regulations at issue, and their impacts, are available from AFPM here.