Governor's action echoes other moves to obstruct the General Assembly
RICHMOND, VA — Today, Virginia’s Governor and the Office of the Attorney General announced an opinion that suggests that Virginia is not obligated to comply with the newest update to Advanced Clean Car Standards. This announcement runs counter to a statement by Attorney General Miyares in 2022 and is a willful misinterpretation of the legislation passed in 2021.
“This announcement from the Governor stands in clear defiance of the will of the duly elected legislature,” said Kim Jemaine, Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of clean energy and transportation providers. “These standards are simple: they put Virginia at the front of the line to receive electric vehicles, allowing Virginians more choice, better options, and an opportunity to improve air quality."
Despite the Governor’s announcement, the auto industry is electrifying. If the Governor is successful in efforts to undermine these standards, Virginians will have fewer options as manufacturers prioritize delivery of EVs to states that have adopted stronger standards.
“Electric vehicles are superior to gas-powered vehicles, and this overreach by the Governor threatens to take away consumer choice and force Virginians to spend more on fuel and maintenance,” added Jemaine.
Beyond the merits of Advanced Clean Car Standards (ACC2), Advanced Energy United is deeply concerned by Youngkin’s continuous bucking of the Virginia General Assembly.
“This is not the first time the Governor has taken illegal action to defy the general assembly and undermine efforts to reduce emissions from our most polluting sectors,” said Jemaine. “The Governor does not have the authority to unilaterally withdraw Virginia from participation in ACC2. Dozens of legislative efforts to withdraw Virginia from participation in ACC2 through the proper mechanisms have failed. Any effort to move forward with withdrawal despite that fact is at the least illegal and at most an attempt to usurp power from the General Assembly and govern by fiat."
Advanced Energy United encourages the Virginia General Assembly to boldly reject any efforts to undermine Virginia’s participation in in Advanced Clean Car Standards and to ensure success of the standards by investing in charging infrastructure and incentives to lower barriers to EV adoption.
Click here to learn more about Advanced Energy United's work in Virginia.