GOP chairman demands info on California EV standards after Congress reversal

EXCLUSIVE: In a sharp rebuke, a Kentucky congressman is pressing California’s top environmental agency for answers after learning the state may be ignoring Congress’ reversal of three key electric vehicle standards.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote to Sacramento that it is “concerned about reports that California, and other jurisdictions who have adopted California standards for which waivers of preemption have been granted, are enforcing preempted vehicle emission regulations in violation of the Clean Air Act.” 

Earlier this year, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to nullify Biden-era waivers granted by the Biden EPA to California, allowing them to implement stricter standards than the federal government.

Several states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, along with the District of Columbia, have adopted California’s low-emissions standards as well.

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“The Committee has been made aware that CARB staff is denying auto manufacturers approval to bring vehicles to market unless the manufacturers agree to comply with the preempted regulations,” the committee continued.

Rep. Brett Guthrie, chair of the House Energy Committee, a Republican, told Fox News Digital that the law is clear that the Golden State must end its “de-facto EV mandate.”

“Enforcing a ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles would have dire consequences for American families and businesses,” Guthrie said.

“Forcing Americans to buy these vehicles would strain our electric grid, raise costs, and increase our reliance on China. Our investigation will look into whether California is continuing to enforce an EV mandate in violation of federal law.” 

Joining Guthrie on the letter were Reps. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., and John Joyce, R-Pa., chairmen of the environment and oversight subcommittees, respectively.

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The committee acknowledged a lawsuit against the recissions from California Attorney General Robert Bonta remains ongoing, but that the intermission does not allow the state to continue enforcing mandates under the nixed waivers.

In a June statement announcing the lawsuit, Bonta called the situation “reckless, politically motivated and illegal.”

The letter, addressed to Dr. Steven Cliff, executive officer of the…