I’m still a little stunned by EPA’s latest proposal that roughly 70% of vehicles sold in 2032 will need to have ZERO tailpipe emissions (regardless of what other emissions a vehicle may be responsible for over its lifecycle). That’s code for a de facto government ban on gasoline and diesel vehicles—and it’s great news for China.

Ask your elected officials: Where do they stand on EPA’s de facto ban?

Email your elected officials

What’s especially frustrating is how quiet some members of Congress are choosing to be on this issue. Most haven’t said a word in response, even though this is probably one of the most extreme policies EPA has ever put forward. If you have a moment today, would you mind sending your Senators and Congressional Representative a note asking where they stand?  

Bottom line: We agree that vehicles and fuels should continually get more efficient and less carbon intensive. But we also believe that people should be able to choose for themselves the cars and trucks that fit their budgets and meet their daily needs. And we also believe that arbitrarily disqualifying gasoline and diesel vehicles based on one category of emissions is bad policy, bad for the U.S. economy and terrible for our national security. 

The greatest mistake we can make is not taking this proposal seriously. If it becomes law, it’s going to start costing consumers and compromising our energy security right away. And it’ll be a long and expensive road before government ever acknowledges that it went too far.  

We’ll have more for you on this policy and other ways to engage in the weeks ahead when EPA opens its official comment period. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions in the meantime.  

Ericka Perryman 

On behalf of the AFPM | EMPOWER team