West Houston News

Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) has introduced the Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden Act, known as the Stop CARB Act. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) is leading the Senate companion to this legislation.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has used its waiver exemption from the Clean Air Act (CAA) to eliminate the sale and eventually the use of all gas-powered vehicles in California. Recently, CARB has targeted locomotive diesel engines by imposing an in-use locomotive rule requiring switching, industrial, and passenger locomotives to be zero-emissions by 2030 and freight line-haul locomotives to be emissions-free by 2035.

CARB holds over 100 active waivers that set higher emissions standards than those of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), none of which are subject to congressional review. The CAA allows any state to adopt any or all of California’s waivers if unchanged. Currently, 17 states have adopted some or all of California’s emissions standards.

The Stop CARB Act aims to repeal the waiver exemption for California. This legislation would repeal Section 177 of the CAA, which allows other states to adopt California's emissions standards, nullify any active or pending waivers, and remove references to the waiver in other statutes.

“California will not govern the great state of Texas,” said Congressman Nehls. “The liberal state of California should not set egregious standards for the rest of the country. The Stop CARB Act will repeal Harris-Biden’s EPA’s radical, out-of-touch use of CARB waivers, allowing other states to set their own standards and protecting consumer choice and our nation’s supply chains.”

"California, through CARB, has taken its regulatory zeal too far," said Senator Lee. "By abusing the Clean Air Act's waiver provision, California is effectively legislating for the entire nation. This overreach is disrupting supply chains, resulting in higher costs for families, a reduction in consumer choice, and increased shipping expenses."

The Stop CARB Act is cosponsored by Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), Scott Perry (R-PA-10), Eric Burlison (R-MO-07), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03), Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), and Randy Weber (R-TX-14).

“I am proud to be a cosponsor of Rep. Nehls’ Stop CARB Act,” said Congressman Burlison. “California should not be able to impose radical emission standards that have a nationwide impact on our supply chain.”

The Stop CARB Act is endorsed by Heritage Action, Americans For Prosperity (AFP), and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

"For years, California has used Biden–Harris EPA to force unrealistic climate requirements on America," stated Heritage Action.

“Americans deserve choice in vehicle marketplaces,” commented Americans For Prosperity.

"In short line railroads industry...CARB's proposed rule would force railroads...to acquire locomotives that are not commercially available," stated Chuck Baker from American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

“We commend Senator Mike Lee for introducing legislation defending against attacks on consumer freedom,” said Daren Bakst from Competitive Enterprise Institute.

Read more about the bill text HERE.

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