WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging President Biden and the EPA to deny California’s petition for a federal Clean Air Act waiver that the state would use to enact a full ban on sales of new gasoline, diesel, flex fuel and traditional hybrid vehicles. AFPM’s comments were delivered by Patrick Kelly, Senior Director of Fuel and Vehicle Policy. The following statement is also attributable to Patrick:
“California’s effort to ban sales of new gas, diesel, flex fuel and traditional hybrid vehicles is unprecedented, unlawful, irresponsible and sweeping in its attempt to take power away from individuals and families. Whether or not this ban becomes reality for millions of Americans and an immediate boon to China is entirely up to President Biden.
“The President and EPA should reject California’s petition outright. The Clean Air Act does not give California authority to ban the internal combustion engine and the costs and consequences of California’s policy failings will not stay confined to just the ‘California states.’ Americans everywhere will pay for it. In fact, we already are, and critical manufacturing jobs are being put on notice.
“Both California’s ban and EPA’s own proposal to outlaw most new internal combustion engine vehicles will leave consumers with fewer affordable, family-sized vehicle options to meet their needs; both will increase costs for taxpayers and electricity users; and both will sacrifice U.S. energy security—which is built on America’s liquid fuel strength—in a gift to China.”
If California receives a wavier to ban sales of new traditional hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles, the policy would be enforced in nearly 15 other states, covering almost 40% of the U.S. population and auto market.
Banning access to liquid-fuel-powered vehicles isn’t necessary to achieve emissions reduction. California can reduce vehicle transportation emissions just as much by adopting technology neutral standards that leave room for liquid fuel innovations and processing efficiencies, traditional hybrids and higher-efficiency internal combustion engines to compete and contribute alongside electric vehicles.
Patrick’s prepared comments are available here.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is the leading trade association representing the makers of the fuels that keep us moving, the petrochemicals that are the essential building blocks for modern life, and the midstream companies that get our feedstocks and products where they need to go. We make the products that make life better, safer and more sustainable — we make progress.
