In 2021, the state’s General Assembly, where Democrats then held majorities in both houses, passed a law requiring the state to adopt the same auto standards as those approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Although Democrats lost their majority in the state House of Representatives in 2021, efforts to repeal the legislation in this year’s legislative session were unsuccessful. California’s new rule, passed last week, will also apply to Virginia, Miyares spokeswoman Victoria LaCivita confirmed to The Hill. The news was first reported by The Virginia Mercury. “The Attorney General hopes the General Assembly will repeal this law and stop any trend that makes Virginia more like California,” LaCivita told The Hill in an email. “California’s unelected bureaucrats should not dictate the will of Virginians.” Virginia is one of 15 states that have adopted an older CARB standard that imposes stricter tailpipe emissions standards than the federal rule. The new gas-powered vehicle rule does not apply to used cars, nor does it limit the use of existing gas-powered cars. Under the terms of the 2021 law, California’s rule would not take effect until 2024, giving Republicans in the legislature at least one more chance to attempt repeal, particularly if they take the state Senate in 2023. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vowed to prevent the rule from being implemented in Virginia, saying in a statement Friday, “I am already at work to prevent this ridiculous ordinance from being imposed on the people of Virginia.” Although Democrats hold a one-vote advantage in the state Senate, Sen. Joe Morrissey (D) has been known to outvote his colleagues. Balance/Sustainability — Mating dolphins form large ‘social alliances’ Proud boy who approached Sumer on January 6 sentenced to 55 months in prison California has often led the way in state action to reduce emissions from cars, a major driver of climate change. Several other states have already announced their intentions to comply with the new rule. Despite the tighter regulations, many automakers have been generally receptive to phasing out internal combustion vehicles while increasing production of electric vehicles. The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association lobby group was a strong supporter of the 2021 law and also praised the new requirement. “Virginia new car dealers are embracing the future of electric vehicles. VADA delegate members supported the adoption of ZEV standards as part of the state’s commitment to encourage EV adoption, along with infrastructure charging and EV purchase incentives,” President and CEO Don Hall said in a statement. “The state needs to step up and do its part with all relevant policies, in addition to these standards.”
