As previously reported, Glenn Youngkin, the governor of Virginia, has announced plans to reject California’s car emissions standards in favor of the less strict federal regulations. If all goes as planned, the changes will go into effect in January 2025. However, there has been opposition and the latest comes from various environmental activist groups concerned with the impact cars have. 

The California car emissions standards could save Virginia money

The California car emissions standards, called Advanced Clean Cars II, are controversial to some. Among the guidelines is the regulation that all new cars sold by 2035 be EVs. Additionally, each year, EV sales should be 22%, and if not, the automakers have to pay a stiff penalty. Of course, Virginia is one of 13 states plus DC that decided to adopt these car emissions standards, but now the governor has other plans. 

However, according to ABC 8 News, the Sierra Club is one of many activist groups that finds an issue with this change. Cheri Conca from the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club said this to the outlet, “The American Lung Association says Virginians could avoid $30 billion in healthcare costs and 2,700 premature deaths from tailpipe pollution if we have advanced clean car standards.”

She continued, “Honestly, I think the healthcare benefits — the benefits for them — are worth a lot more than the monetary benefits to the automakers and the gasoline industry.” Additionally, she feels easing the car emissions standards impacts low-income Virginia residents the most. 

Readers should note that there has also been political opposition to the Virginia governor’s plans. Additionally, there are legal challenges as the General Assembly approved the commonwealth taking up the emissions standards. This also means the General Assembly would need to approve pulling out for vehicle regulations.