California: Governor Newsom to U.S. Senate: ‘Will you side with China or America?’
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~ SACRAMENTO - In response to the announcement by U.S. Senate Republicans to proceed with a vote that would dismantle key pieces of California's clean cars and trucks program, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement today urging the Senate to consider the consequences of their actions.

The Senate is expected to vote on resolutions this week, utilizing the Congressional Review Act (CRA) in an attempt to repeal three of California's Clean Air Act waivers. These waivers, which authorize California's clean cars and trucks program, have been in place since the Nixon Administration and have been crucial in the state's efforts to improve air quality.

Governor Newsom posed a question to the Senate: "Will you side with China or America?" He emphasized that this vote could potentially cede American car-industry dominance to China and harm the health of children across the country.

The House, which is controlled by Republicans, had previously attempted to repeal these waivers earlier this month using the CRA. This move goes against decades of precedent as these waivers have never been subject to the CRA before. The Government Accountability Office and Senate Parliamentarian have both ruled that this process does not apply to these waivers.

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California has been a leader in clean air policies since then-Governor Ronald Reagan established the California Air Resources Board. The state has received over 100 waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its clean air and climate efforts since 1970. These waivers do not expire and there is no process for revoking them, providing market certainty for governments and industry.

Despite significant improvements in air quality, California still faces challenges due to its unique geography. Five out of ten cities with the worst air pollution in the country are located in California, with ten million residents living under "severe nonattainment" conditions for ozone. This has led to high rates of asthma and cardiopulmonary disease among residents. Zero-emission vehicles are a crucial part of the state's plan to protect its citizens.

The three regulations that are being targeted by Republicans, against the advice of the Senate Parliamentarian and GAO, are estimated to cost Californian taxpayers $45 billion in healthcare costs. Additionally, these regulations would make driving a car more expensive for consumers. Zero-emission vehicles are often cheaper than gas-powered cars due to lower fuel and maintenance costs.

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Governor Newsom also highlighted the fact that while the U.S. was once a leader in clean car technology, it is now rapidly ceding its dominance to China. In the first quarter of this year, global electric vehicle sales rose by 35%, with China responsible for over 70% of production. Meanwhile, the U.S. is a net importer of electric vehicles.

Despite these challenges, California continues to lead in climate action and has seen a decrease of 20% in greenhouse gas emissions since 2000 while its GDP has increased by 78%. The state also set records for clean energy last year, with the grid running on 100% clean energy for some period two out of every three days.

Governor Newsom's statement serves as a reminder to the Senate that their decision will have far-reaching consequences not only for California but for the entire country. As they prepare to vote on these resolutions this week, it remains to be seen whether they will prioritize American interests or side with China.

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