RICHMOND, Va. — Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Wednesday that Virginia will abandon California’s stringent vehicle emissions rules aimed at reducing carbon pollution at the end of the year when that state’s current regulations expire, citing an attorney general opinion.
In response to a request from Youngkin and Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougle, Attorney General Jason Miyares’ opinion issued Tuesday states that Virginia isn’t required to comply with new mandates adopted by the California Air Resources Board set to take effect on Jan. 1.
Youngkin, a Republican, said in a statement that Virginians deserve to choose which vehicles fit their needs and called the idea that government should tell people what kind of car they can buy “fundamentally wrong.”
“Once again, Virginia is declaring independence –- this time from a misguided electric vehicle mandate imposed by unelected leaders nearly 3,000 miles away from the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said.
The move was quickly condemned by Democrats and environmental groups.
“He seems to think he has more power than Vladimir Putin,” Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell said via text message. “The governor is breaking the law and the AG is giving him cover.”
The Southern Environmental Law Center called the decision “illegal, shortsighted, and bad public policy.”
“The Clean Cars standards will help spur the transition to cleaner vehicles and bring significant health and environmental benefits to all Virginians. That is why the General Assembly adopted them,” Trip Pollard, a senior attorney with the center, said in a statement.
“The Governor tried to get the legislature to repeal the law and failed; he cannot just dictate a different outcome,” Pollard said.
Miyares said in a statement that the opinion from his office confirms that Virginians are no longer required to follow California’s standards,
“EV mandates like California’s are unworkable and out of touch with reality, and thankfully the law does not bind us to their regulations,” he said. “California does not control which cars Virginians buy and any thoughts that automobile manufacturers should face millions of dollars in civil penalties rather than allowing our citizens to choose their own vehicles is completely absurd.”
In a memo to the Department of Environmental Quality, the State Air Pollution Control Board and stakeholders, Natural and Historic Resources Secretary Travis A. Voyles said Wednesday that Virginia will default to federal standards at the end of the year. He said Miyares’ opinion confirms that state law doesn’t require the State Air Pollution Control Board to adopt California’s new standards and the board has not acted under its discretionary authority to do so.
Virginia’s “clean cars” law was initially adopted in 2021, when the state government was under full Democratic control. It required that starting in 2024 a certain percentage of new passenger vehicles sold by manufacturers be electric or hybrid electric. Last year, Virginia Senate Democrats defeated several Republican efforts to repeal the law.
The mechanism for reaching the mandated vehicle sales threshold involved adopting California’s vehicle emissions standards. California has had the authority to set its own rules for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.
The program applies to manufacturers, not car dealers. Manufacturers who aren’t in compliance can buy credits from others who have surpassed the target.
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Brumfield contributed to this report from Silver Spring, Maryland.
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This story has been corrected to show that Attorney General Jason Miyares’ opinion was issued Tuesday.
Virginia Governor Announces State’s Decision to Depart from California Emissions Standards by Year’s End
In a surprising move, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that the state will be departing from California’s stricter emissions standards by the end of the year. This decision comes as a stark contrast to the trend of states adopting more stringent environmental regulations in response to the growing threat of climate change.
California has long been a leader in setting ambitious emissions standards in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The state’s regulations have served as a model for other states looking to take action on environmental issues. However, Governor Northam’s announcement signals a departure from this trend, raising questions about the future of environmental policy in Virginia.
The decision to depart from California’s emissions standards is likely to have significant implications for the state’s environmental goals. By loosening regulations on emissions, Virginia may be putting its air quality and public health at risk. Increased emissions from vehicles and other sources could lead to higher levels of pollution, exacerbating respiratory issues and other health problems for residents.
Furthermore, departing from California’s emissions standards could also have economic consequences for Virginia. As more states and countries move towards cleaner energy sources and stricter emissions regulations, Virginia may find itself at a competitive disadvantage in attracting businesses and investment. Companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint may be less inclined to set up operations in a state with lax environmental regulations.
Governor Northam’s decision has sparked debate among lawmakers, environmental advocates, and industry stakeholders. Some argue that departing from California’s emissions standards is a step backwards for Virginia’s environmental progress, while others see it as a necessary move to support economic growth and job creation.
It remains to be seen how this decision will play out in the coming months and years. Will Virginia be able to maintain its commitment to environmental protection while departing from California’s emissions standards? Or will the state face backlash from residents and businesses who are concerned about the impact of increased emissions on public health and the environment?
As the deadline for departing from California’s emissions standards approaches, all eyes will be on Virginia to see how the state navigates this complex and contentious issue. The outcome of this decision could have far-reaching implications for the future of environmental policy in Virginia and beyond.
