Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has withdrawn the state from a 2021 pact that had mandated adherence to California’s stringent emissions standards – including a ban on internal combustion vehicles by 2035. [emphasis, links added]
Youngkin and legislative Republicans previously failed to repeal the law, which linked Virginia with California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, and Wednesday’s move similarly did not go over well with some state Democrats as of the following morning.
In an interview Thursday, Youngkin bluntly said, “They’re wrong,” when asked about Democratic pushback that he and Attorney General Jason Miyares were overstepping their bounds.
“In fact, the law is very clear and the [Miyares]’ opinion is clear and straightforward. The California Regulatory Framework ACC-1 sunsets on December 31st, 2024.”
“The new California framework, ACC-2, we are choosing not to enter into and are exercising our autonomous decision authority to, in fact, place ourselves under the federal government’s guidelines here as opposed to California,” he said.
“There’s no controversy. And once again, these are the exact same legislators that surrendered Virginia’s autonomy in decision-making over this, over this issue to California’s unregulated regulators. And, we’re taking it back.”
In response to the administration’s move, state Sen. Scott Surovell, the number-two Democrat in the chamber, compared Youngkin to Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and accused Miyares of giving Youngkin “cover” to act as such.
Surovell called Youngkin and Miyares’ actions “reckless, illegal, and unconstitutional” in comments reported by the Virginia Mercury.
“[They] are destructive of Virginia’s pro-business reputation,” Surovell said, adding that the American Revolution was fought so that a state executive would never be able to “nullify laws by-press-conference.”
Youngkin appeared unfazed by the Putin allegation, telling Fox News Digital that Virginia simply “declared independence yesterday from California.”
“Virginians should be deciding what car they drive, not California’s unelected regulators. These misguided mandates were wrong from the beginning and we are going to liberate Virginia from them.”
He predicted that if the regulatory pact were to remain in place, it would cost Virginians a net $1.2 billion to comply, calling it an unwarranted economic penalty on hard-working residents.
When it comes to the future of U.S. energy production and technology, Youngkin added that it will be American innovation – not bureaucratic whims – that craft it.
In a statement, state Sen. Ryan McDougle, a New Kent County Republican who joined Youngkin’s withdrawal request, said the CARB standards are unique to California and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders.
“Virginia’s laws should not be determined by California politicians. Instead, our laws should be decided by Virginians who are elected to serve Virginia and address issues that face our commonwealth, not a state nearly 3,000 miles away,” McDougle said.
Miyares said that if the Democratic majority in the General Assembly wants to craft a bill imposing outside control over Virginia residents’ vehicle purchases, he welcomes that debate:
“That’s the beauty of democracy,” he said, calling California’s rules unrealistic and costly: “If you want to purchase an electric vehicle, that is your choice, but, rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all mandate, I want Virginia consumers to choose the transportation options that best suit their specific needs and circumstances.”
Read more at Fox News
California is a creep on drugs. Don’t engage with them. Cross the street in self defence.
Our County Siskiyou is very Red since its mostly Agricultural we have Mountains forests and the PCT(Pacific Crest Trial)and plenty of Wildlife
California has proven itself to be extreme in its policies and has a total lack of common sense. It is down right stupid for other states to following the policies of California’s “unregulated regulators.” I hope other states see the light and not buy into ACC-2.
That was the whole point of numerous States, now up to 50. The US Constitution spells out what powers are granted to the Federal Government, and what the Federal Government will do in return.
In the meantime there’s 50 ‘laboratories’, each free to set their own rules and regulations, according to what their inhabitants feel is needed, necessary, or desirable. No two are going to be exactly alike. To tie your state’s laws to those of another state’s government, over whom your state’s voters have no control at all, doesn’t make much sense.
I believe it was Socrates: “All republics degenerate into democracies which then become dictatorships”.
Virginia is not run by a total idiot like Newsom the Voters dumped their Former Governor a Liberal Democrat
Apparently you don’t know Virginia politics. The governor can only run for one term so Youngkin didn’t have to face the incumbent.