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Not too long ago, bipartisan agreements on protecting clean air and water seemed achievable. However, the current political climate presents significant challenges to these once-universal values.
We have drifted away from the legacy of leaders like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, who championed the Clean Air Act in 1970 and the Montreal Protocol in 1987. These pivotal actions prioritized the health of the American public over corporate interests.
Recently, Senate Republicans have taken steps to undermine California’s stringent air quality initiatives, using the Congressional Review Act to attempt to revoke the state’s clean air waivers. This move not only threatens decades of environmental progress initiated by former Governor Reagan, who established the California Air Resources Board in 1967, it poses a direct threat to public health.
Senate GOP Pushes to End Biden’s EPA Clean Air Waivers
California’s environmentally conscious clean air standards have inspired 17 other states to adopt similar regulations, driving innovation within American automotive companies and fostering global competitiveness.
In the first quarter of 2025, global electric vehicle sales surged by 35%, largely fueled by the increasing affordability of electric models. Companies that originated in California led the charge in this electric vehicle revolution, but the risk of losing our competitive edge looms large.
China has established itself as the dominant player in electric vehicle manufacturing, now accounting for over 70% of global production. Chinese imports contributed significantly to the rise in electric vehicle sales in emerging economies outside of China in 2024. Meanwhile, the United States has become a net importer of electric vehicles, and some Republican leaders in the automotive industry seem resigned to this trend.
For over fifty years, California has collaborated with the automotive sector to create reasonable and effective air quality regulations. This partnership has been beneficial, fostering innovation and growth within the industry.
However, dismantling these standards threatens to erase the advancements we have made in the market. It jeopardizes the existence of legacy automakers and risks the loss of thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs across the United States.
Republicans appear to prioritize other issues over clean air and job creation. Their current stance raises questions about their commitment to supporting American workers.
In 2021, Ford announced plans for a $5.8 billion battery manufacturing campus in Glendale, Kentucky, expected to create nearly 5,000 jobs. Similarly, Toyota’s $8 billion investment in North Carolina aims to develop a clean vehicle, battery, and energy storage project, anticipated to yield an additional 3,000 jobs in a traditionally Republican district.
These corporate decisions reflect the success of clean vehicle policies that compel companies to remain competitive on the global stage and foster community growth. What will be the fate of these investments if current legislative efforts succeed?
Efforts by Republicans to hinder progress not only risk stalling economic development but could also impair job opportunities in their own districts. If California’s leadership in clean vehicle technology falters, the nation may fall behind in the race for future innovation.
The clean car regulations set forth by California serve as a crucial model for the United States’ clean vehicle policy in the 21st century. They justify the significant investments automakers are now making in electric vehicles. Additionally, these policies play an essential role in reducing pollution and cultivating a market that aligns with American values. They also shield our economy from looming economic threats.
If Republican efforts succeed in dismantling California’s standards, we might clear the way for China to further dominate the global auto market. Notably, the debut of the Seagull model by Chinese manufacturer BYD Automotive, an affordable luxury electric vehicle priced as low as $9,700, demonstrates the potential of the competitive landscape if American companies fall behind. This shift could leave American manufacturers struggling to keep pace, resulting in a market filled with affordable Chinese vehicles dominating roads in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Republican plans that seek to restrict states from pressuring American automotive companies to elevate their standards tarnish the nation’s prospects. Without these vital regulations, American manufacturers may quickly find themselves outmatched, putting workers’ livelihoods at risk.
The stakes are high: the quality of the air we breathe and the robustness of our economy hang in the balance. California has consistently demonstrated that there is a more viable path forward—one that prioritizes clean air, job security, and fosters decades of innovation and economic growth.
