AFPM statement and letter in support of House bills to stop government vehicle bans, attempts to electrify the RFS

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 27, 2023—American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President & CEO Chet Thompson this morning issued the following statement along with a letter urging support for three bills being marked up today by the House Energy & Commerce Committee:

“Just as we were proud to testify in support of these bills last month, AFPM is proud to support the legislation being marked up today. “The pathway to affordable, sustainable transportation and even greater energy security is through innovation and competition among vehicle technologies and fuel types. Banning internal combustion engine vehicles is bad for consumers, families and our national security. Such policies would trade our hard-earned energy security for dependence on China.

“As members review these bills carefully, appreciating exactly what they do and do not do, the choice to support them should be obvious, especially for those with fuel and petrochemical manufacturing facilities in their districts—sites that provide thousands of good, family-supporting jobs and are economic anchors in their communities.” – Chet Thompson, AFPM President & CEO

A brief description of the legislation up for consideration, including what the bills do and do not do, is available below:

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act (H.R. 4468)

• What it does: It would stop EPA from finalizing its proposal to require roughly 70% of new car and truck sales to be electric in less than 10 years.

• What it does not do: The legislation would not interfere with EPA’s ability to set ambitious vehicle emission standards. It would simply clarify that EPA’s standards must be technology neutral, meaning the Agency cannot ban certain internal combustion engine vehicles or require all vehicles to be battery electric.

The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (H.R. 1435)

• What it does: It would stop EPA from authorizing California to enforce its ban on gas and diesel vehicles.

• What it does not do: This legislation is narrow and would not affect California’s existing Clean Air Act waivers or its ability to petition EPA for future waivers to address local air quality issues.

The No Fuel Credits for Batteries Act (H.R. 4469)

• What it does: It makes clear that EPA does not have the authority to establish an electric RINs or “eRINs” program within the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), a long-standing liquid fuel policy meant to support U.S. energy security and American-grown biofuels. EPA’s eRINs program would provide a nine-figure income stream to electric vehicle manufacturers paid for by liquid fuel producers and consumers.

• What it does not do: The bill does not disadvantage electric vehicles. It simply clarifies that any decision to expand or redirect the RFS in this way needs to come from Congress. EPA cannot make the call independently and without regard for Congress’s original directive to first study the feasibility of using renewable electricity to power EVs as a potential future “adjunct” to the RFS.

Chet’s full letter to the Committee is available here.