Grand Canyon Times

Senate President Warren Petersen has filed an opening brief against the Biden-Harris Administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over electric vehicle mandates. Petersen, along with a coalition of states and industries, has initiated a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to challenge recently adopted EPA rules that are part of President Biden's climate change agenda.

The contested rules require nearly 70% of all new vehicles and 25% of all new semitrucks or similar heavy-duty vehicles sold in the United States to be electric by 2032. Petersen argues that these mandates will transform the automotive industry and incur billions in costs without adequate charging infrastructure or power grid capacity.

Additionally, another rule requires trucking operators to purchase expensive electric trucks and retire diesel models, affecting fleets headquartered in Arizona if they operate within California. This is expected to impact supply chains and increase costs for Arizona trucking companies.

"Our federal government does not have the power to mandate electric vehicles," said Senate President Warren Petersen. He criticized the administration for creating policies that he believes will financially burden citizens already affected by rising costs.

Senator Frank Carroll echoed these concerns, stating, "Hardworking Americans are hurting enough as it is from soaring inflation caused by the Biden-Harris Administration." He warned that such policies could lead to increased consumer prices and financial strain on working-class citizens and businesses.

Kim Quintero serves as Director of Communications for the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus.