The US House passed on a near party-line vote to disapprove EPA’s controversial tailpipe emissions rule opposed by the biofuels industry and top farm groups…
The House 215-191 resolution vote is likely going nowhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But it sends a clear message ahead of the November election, just how much the two parties differ on the administration’s push to electrify the motor vehicle fleet.
Resolution author and Detroit area GOP Rep. John James said; “This tailpipe emissions standard’s not just harmful, it’s catastrophic. The automotive industry, itself, if you actually listen, have told you, that in order to get to 67-percent compliance of new vehicle sales, they cannot get there with the current technology or the current infrastructure or the current software, without going to battery electric vehicles.”
Administration defenders dismiss GOP complaints the EPA rule is an EV mandate. Energy panel Ranking Democrat Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said; “Nobody’s forcing anyone to buy an electric vehicle, and to claim that is happening is just false. Expanding and diversifying our domestic vehicle manufacturing industry will increase consumer choice. The rule that the Republicans seek to repeal today, is actually supported by the auto manufacturers, as well as the auto unions.”
But the ethanol industry and farm groups suing EPA, and rural lawmakers, complain the rule will put producers out of business and harm rural communities. Georgia Republican Rick Allen said; “As I represent rural Georgia, and many of my constituents…EVs are impractical, considering the high cost, lack of charging infrastructure in rural communities and overall time commitment to get that full charge. The American people do not need or want this administration mandating what car best suits their family’s needs.”
The American Farm Bureau recently told lawmakers that producers can’t meet on-time shipping schedules with EV trucks and don’t have ready access to chargers or the expertise to make EV repairs.
Story by Matt Kaye/Berns Bureau Washington; courtesy of NAFB News Service
