Senate Vote to Dump CA Gas Car Ban Could Ripple WA State

Before the EPA was created, California sought ways to battle its famous, or infamous, smog. Much of it was created by its massive amount of vehicle traffic. That's why they have been allowed by the Federal government to set their own vehicle standards.

   Senate set to vote on overturning 2035 fossil fuel vehicle ban in CA

According to The Center Square, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R) did not specifically list a day or time, but says it is going to happen.

The vote would, if it passes, overturn CA's 2035 ban on the sale of any fossil-fuel vehicles.

Many are confused as to  why CA gets to set its own standards, but it's because their pollution-fighting efforts pre-date the EPA, and it was allowed. Other states are allowed to link or follow CA standards. Those states include WA and OR, a total of 11.

In recent years, WA has pretty much abdicated its vehicle emissions policies to CA, but if the ban is overturned, the link is 'broken.'   Despite WA and these states linking to CA, they do not have the power to create their own. Outside of CA, those emissions, EV and other vehicle policies are set by the Federal Government.

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If the 2035 ban is overturned, WA state's similar ban on the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles would disappear--along with any other policies linked between WA and CA.

READ More: We have already seen bans or limits on some larger gas and diesel-powered vehicles in WA.