Contact:
Matthew Keenan
202-225-6611
matthew.keenan@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congressman Russ Fulcher voted to support three bills in the Energy & Commerce Committee that preserve consumer choice over vehicles. First, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, H.R. 1435, stops the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using waivers on vehicle emissions standards to ban the sale or use of vehicles with internal combustion engines.
“I support an all-of-the-above approach when it comes to fuels,” said Fulcher. “Emissions have decreased substantially over the decades, all while allowing for choice in fuel types for vehicles.” Fulcher continued: “Actions taken by the Federal Government to unilaterally mandate vehicle choices on Idahoans they neither want nor can afford should stop.”
Congressman Fulcher also voted for passage of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, H.R. 4468, which keeps the EPA from implementing an emissions rule that mandates certain types of engine technologies and engine types.
Finally, Congressman Fulcher supported the No Fuel Credits for Batteries Act of 2023, H.R. 4469, that stops the EPA from issuing renewable fuel credits on electric vehicles. Congress never gave the EPA the authority to provide eRIN credits on electric vehicles. The most Congress has allowed was a study to determine use of eRIN credits for electric vehicles. Government agencies like the EPA should not legislating by unauthorized federal regulation.
“Idahoans expect fuel today and fuel tomorrow to keep their business, family, and community functionality. With emissions dropping substantially over the last few decades, I will continue to advocate for existing proven technologies, all while looking to the future of automotive technology in coming decades to better the lives of all Americans.” Fulcher said. “Let’s not create a self-inflicted crisis on rural Americans to appease the whims of environmental extremists and the Biden Administration.”
Background:
H.R. 1435 would revoke any CAA section 209(b) waivers California received between January 1, 2022, and the date H.R. 1435 becomes law. H.R. 4468 prohibits the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing it’s proposed rule title “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Late Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles” that was published in the Federal Register on May 5th, 2023. H.R. 4469 will prohibit the use or transfer of any eRINS credits generated before the date of enactment of the bill. H.R. 4469 will clarify that the EPA is not authorized to use credits for electricity generated from renewable fuel to satisfy the volume of renewable fuel that needs to be contained in transportation fuel for purposes of the renewable fuel standard.
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