Last Wednesday, the Minnesota Senate held a joint hearing with the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy and Legacy Committees regarding the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) intention to adopt the California Emission Standards through the administrative rulemaking process.
Governor Walz’s administration is seeking to implement California’s mandatory auto-emission standards on vehicles sold in Minnesota by bypassing the legislature and using the administrative rulemaking process.
“Everything about this is wrong,” said Senator Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids). “Not only is the Governor trying to circumvent the legislature, but he’s trying to turn Minnesota into a second California. This rule would increase the cost of our automobiles, especially for farmers, blue-collar workers, and local businesses that require specific vehicles for their line of work. These proposed changes will completely cripple our farmers. The demand for these vehicles should be market-driven, not government-mandated.”
If adopted, the California Emission Standards will rattle Minnesota’s economy, raising transportation costs for lower-income residents and disproportionally hurting rural and border communities. Data suggests that new vehicles’ demand will drop 7.1% and that Minnesotans can expect to pay $800-$2,500 more per vehicle, not just on EVs.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has begun hosting public information sessions in the agency’s effort to impose the California Car Mandate on Minnesotans. In addition to conducting a public information session on Tuesday, the MPCA will be holding another one Wednesday, and additional sessions are scheduled for January 27 and February 2. You can find more information for them HERE.
Minnesotans who wish to submit public comments can either attend one of the planned virtual hearings, they can submit links via the Office of Administrative Hearings website, or attend a public hearing. The hearings for public comments will take place virtually on February 22 and 23 at 3 p.m.