California air regulators are cracking down on auto emissions standards by passing a new set of rules that would require more electric cars and zero-emission vehicles on the roadways. Both Senator Doug LaMalfa and Assemblyman Jim Nielsen were opposed to the new rules, saying this mandate is unrealistic. On Friday, the California Air Resources Board voted unanimously to go ahead with auto emission standards that would require one in seven new cars sold in the state in 2025 to be either electric or zero-emission. LaMalfa" and Nielsen both say this mandate would force people into vehicles they don't want and can't afford.
"This idea has not even got the scientific foundation as well as even the legal foundation to move ahead, but they're going to do it anyway. Because they, the bureaucrats and the air board, think it's a good idea. It's going to cost each of us in california a heck of a lot of money.", says Nielsen.
"It's a very unrealistic mandate that is coming down by this unelected, unaccountable board that just sits down and thinks about more regulations for us to jump through.", says LaMalfa.
The plan also mandates a 75% reduction in smog-forming pollutants by 2025, and a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over roughly the same period of time. Senator LaMalfa says there is a chance the new regulations will not go into effect if the legislature decides to block the mandate.
