Multiple states are not pleased with the federal government forcing new regulations on Americans. The Environmental Protection Agency is receiving more pushback for its emission rules for passenger vehicles that will go into effect in 2026. Republican attorney generals in 25 states are suing the EPA to block these rules from going into effect. 

The lawsuit claims the rules will threaten the economy, cause job losses, raise vehicle prices, and put the electrical grid at risk. The EPA already scaled back its original proposal after resistance from the auto industry and the UAW. The original proposal cut tailpipe emissions by 56% before 2032 compared to original request of 2026. After much push back it was then reduced to 49% in the final rule. These attorney generals say the rule is legally flawed and is forcing automakers to meet the mandate to go all electric even though consumers are pushing back and sales have dropped off dramatically. 

After resistance by auto workers and the auto industry, the final version of the regulations was scaled back compared to an earlier proposal in order to give automakers more flexibility in meeting the emissions reduction goals. The EPA gave automakers more freedom to meet emissions standards with gas-electric hybrids, which many environmentalists have opposed as a half-measure that delays the EV transition.

The EPA denies that and says there is “absolutely no mandate” for automakers to adopt EVs. Because this is an election year, there will be more fights like this since EVs have now become politicized. 

These attorney generals stated that the rules amount to an attempt by the administration to transform the American passenger vehicle market improperly through strict rules that make it difficult for manufacturers to not go electric.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said the rules would harm the American economy, threaten jobs and raise prices while undermining the U.S. electricity grid. Coleman also said there is very little consumer interest in electric vehicles in his state.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey called the rules “legally flawed and unrealistic, to say the least.”

Other states that joined the suit included: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Of course, the EPA declined to comment.

The EPA has forecast that between 35% and 56% of new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2032 would be electric under the rules – a range that reflected the flexibility the agency has said automakers have to pursue different pollution-cutting technologies.

States are forced into legal action against the government as more aggressive mandates put their states at risk for lost jobs, negative economic impacts to the state and its residents. An aggressive government that forces its citizens to buy something that they can’t afford by an unelected regulatory agency that makes arbitrary laws is a major issue that needs to be handled in the courts. 

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