Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gary Palmer, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, announced on May 27 a hearing titled ‘Rules of the Road: Examining Legislation to Modernize the Clean Air Act’s Mobile Source Requirements.’
The hearing is scheduled for June 3 at 2:00 PM ET in Room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The session will be open to both the public and press and will be livestreamed online. The committee will consider several legislative items, including proposals related to diesel emission fluid flexibility, prohibiting certain engine idling restrictions for buses, state emissions authority, diesel emissions reduction, automobile retail sales choice, locomotive regulations, cold weather diesel reliability, fuel freedom measures, and storm response vehicles.
Chairmen Guthrie and Palmer said, “The Clean Air Act regulates not just the cars we drive but also the trucks and trains that transport and deliver food, consumer products, and even the energy needed for our daily lives. Actions by the Biden-Harris Administration and states like California have taken away consumer choices and driven up costs to advance a radical environmental agenda instead of focusing on responsible environmental policies that complement lower costs and innovation. This hearing will provide the opportunity to examine how burdensome regulations that have led to higher costs and unnecessary red tape can be addressed while continuing to protect the air we breathe.”
Background provided in connection with this announcement traces Title II of the Clean Air Act back sixty years to its origins in 1965. At that time most American families owned at least one car; however, these vehicles lacked modern emission controls such as catalytic converters or computerized engine management systems. Smog was a significant issue in areas like Los Angeles due to vehicle emissions. Since then, manufacturers have reduced smog-forming emissions from new cars and trucks by over 99 percent. Leaded gasoline has been eliminated from use at pumps nationwide.
Despite these improvements, concerns were raised about regulatory approaches under Title II. It was noted that recent attempts by federal agencies and California sought to shift transportation toward electric vehicles across all categories—including heavy freight trucks—which were described as unachievable standards with high associated costs but limited air quality benefits. Three recommendations were offered: updating outdated provisions within Title II; reforming or repealing California’s waiver authority; and clarifying that electric vehicles should not factor into internal-combustion vehicle standards.
