On 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.

“This is wrong,” said Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville). “The Legislature operates as the people’s voice, and the Governor again is circumventing that by using the rules process. This is something that should be discussed with the legislature, not done unilaterally. Why would we allow California to dictate what we do in Minnesota? Under no circumstances should we cede our marketplace to the standards of another state.”

If adopted, the California Emission Standards will hurt 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. Minnesotans can expect car prices to raise from anywhere between $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, January 19, they will be holding additional sessions 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 comments 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.