Yesterday’s Congressional Attack on Clean Transportation

Last Updated on: 23rd May 2025, 04:41 pm

Statement from the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project on yesterday’s congressional attack on clean transportation

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted to block leading states Colorado and New Mexico from enforcing a suite of clean transportation policies designed to reduce pollution and accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions passed today strike down waivers previously granted by the Environmental Protection Agency, which allowed states to implement the Advanced Clean Cars, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Heavy Duty Omnibus regulations.

These rules require automakers to build vehicles that emit fewer health-harming and climate-changing pollutants, while advancing zero-emission technologies like plug-in electric and hydrogen vehicles. The U.S. House passed similar resolutions earlier in May.

Travis Madsen, Transportation Program Director for the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote makes it clear that Congress wants Americans to waste more money on gasoline.

“Electric vehicles are far more fuel efficient than gasoline or diesel ones. Our research shows that drivers in the Southwest can save about $10,000 over 200,000 miles with an electric sedan, and more than $30,000 with a battery-electric pickup — roughly a 25% discount on the total cost of ownership.

“But those savings depend on having vehicles available to buy. These clean vehicle programs have made that possible by driving innovation, helping Tesla get off the ground, and motivating traditional automakers to invest in better, more cost-effective technology.

“These policies are projected to deliver up to $4 trillion in national benefits by mid-century — including consumer savings and avoided health and environmental costs. That’s more than $1,000 per household, every year.

“By overturning these waivers, Congress is letting manufacturers off the hook, hanging consumers out to dry, and giving up on climate action. Combined with the repeal of EV incentives in the recent House budget bill, Congress is ceding leadership in clean vehicle technology to China.

“I expect states and cities to pursue progress through other channels — courts, legislatures, and administrative action — and SWEEP stands ready to help.”

SWEEP thanks Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet (CO), Heinrich and Luján (NM), Kelly and Gallego (AZ), and Rosen and Cortez-Masto (NV) for voting against these harmful resolutions.

Additional Background

Under the Clean Air Act, California is allowed to set its own vehicle pollution standards, and other states may adopt them if they face significant air quality challenges. Colorado and New Mexico adopted California’s Advanced Clean Cars 2 and Advanced Clean Trucks rules in 2023, while Nevada adopted Clean Cars 1 in 2021, but has not updated its regulations to their current form. Arizona briefly participated in a prior clean car program in the 2010s.

Although Colorado and New Mexico implemented their rules only through 2032 — after which they would revert to federal standards — the CRA vote threatens to block all state enforcement of these programs, regardless of their planned duration.

Legal challenges are expected. Both the Senate Parliamentarian and the Government Accountability Office previously ruled that these waivers are not subject to CRA oversight. The issue is now likely headed to federal court.

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency, clean transportation, and beneficial electrification in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. swenergy.org

Press statement from SWEEP.