WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) joined Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) and other members of the California republican delegation in a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chair Liane Randolph regarding the August 2022 mandate that requires 100% of new car sales in California to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

“The price of an electric vehicle is not a realistic option for many of my constituents in the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “Governor Newsom’s ban on gas-powered vehicles is going to put more pressure on California’s already stressed electrical grid and lead to more blackouts in our state.  I urge Governor Newsom to reverse course on this misguided decision. We need to make it easier for California to produce safe, clean energy in our own backyard to lower costs and bring jobs and stability to families and businesses across California.”

The lawmakers request Governor Newsom and CARB Chair Liane Randolph consider alternate policies to reduce emissions that do not add additional strain to the state’s energy grid or restrictions on consumer choice:

“Our state can be a leader in clean energy and reducing emissions by producing new technologies through research and development. We must empower innovation that will help the United States and California lead the world in the development and production of clean, efficient, reliable, and affordable energy technologies. We believe these innovations will lead to better-paying jobs for our constituents and greater economic prosperity for our state,” the lawmakers wrote.

Rep. Valadao was joined in the letter by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and Representatives Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Michelle Steel (CA-48), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Connie Conway (CA-22), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Young Kim (CA-39), Ken Calvert (CA-42), and Darrell Issa (CA-50).

Read the full letter here. 

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