Overreach on Wheels: How the EPA’s New Emissions Rule Undermines Consumer Choice and Strains Our Nation
By: Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon)
Our founding fathers were very clear in their design of our government – a truly revolutionary notion at the time – that there should be a definitive system of checks and balances. This was their way to guarantee the three branches of government remained equal and the best interests of the citizens were kept at the forefront. Unfortunately, the Biden administration is using its rulemaking and regulatory authority to broaden the reach and power of the executive branch via a rule recently finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule in question puts strict emissions standards on auto manufacturers. The standards are so strict they will force the auto industry into producing more electric vehicles than those that run on gasoline. This rule will have far-reaching implications on consumers and our economy. It represents a significant increase in the power of the executive branch, limits consumer choice and places additional burdens on an already strained national infrastructure.
The overreach of this rule is so far afield of an agency’s regulatory or rulemaking authority that Congress has now gotten involved. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would overturn the EPA rule. Notably, the bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 215-191, with eight Democrats joining most of their Republican colleagues to move the legislation. There is also an effort underway to overturn the rule through the judicial branch.
If efforts to combat this new vehicle mandate via the courts or legislative process fail, a dangerous precedent will be set whereby government bureaucrats – who are not elected and not held accountable to the electorate – will have the ability to essentially make law. While our government has evolved and grown over time, I am certain our founding fathers would shake their heads at the notion of an executive agency having such far-reaching power with no real check. Such vast regulatory authority flies in the face of the concept of checks and balances.
But it’s not just the precedent setting that makes this regulation such a bad deal for our country. It’s the impact it will have on everyday citizens – something I can speak to firsthand.
Prior to running for elected office, I worked in the private sector as a trucking consultant. I witnessed the increases in operating costs putting pressure on the industry and consumers. I saw the strain infrastructure issues and shortfalls put on drivers.
This EPA rule is a perfect example of how a government policy can directly impact citizens as they go about their day-to-day lives. This mandate essentially equates to limiting consumer choice. By placing these emissions requirements on the auto industry, the Biden administration is essentially mandating an increase in the number of electric vehicles the industry is forced to produce. The administration’s own projections show that to comply with the EPA order, 56% of new vehicles for sale will be electric by 2032. That is a significant uptick in electric vehicle production. If this move to electric vehicles was brought by market demand that would be one thing. But this is government interference in the private market. According to a Center Square article, electric vehicles currently only account for 7% of new vehicle sales. There currently isn’t the consumer appetite for such a dramatic increase in EV production.
Another issue that could be problematic is the infrastructure needed to keep electric vehicles literally moving. Electric vehicles run on batteries and charging stations aren’t readily available everywhere and could put an enormous strain on our power grid. This could lead to drivers being stranded in the middle of a road trip or those living in apartments struggling to find a charger or having to pay higher costs for a fast charge. Consumers, ultimately, should have the choice of what new vehicle to buy that best fits their needs.
The EPA emissions rule is a bad move for our country. It is a gross overreach of executive branch authority and manipulates the private sector and economy while severely limiting consumer choice. It would likely increase costs for consumers and place additional strains on our country’s infrastructure. I urge our legislative branch to exercise its authority and right-size this misguided policy.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Huntre Keip
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