Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the state's plan to abandon California's vehicle emissions standards by the end of the year, citing an opinion from the Attorney General.
Denise Lavoie and Sarah Brumfield report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Governor Youngkin stated that Virginia will cease following California’s vehicle emissions standards starting January 1.
- The decision was based on an opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares that Virginia isn’t obligated to comply with California’s new mandates.
- The move has been criticized by Democrats and environmental advocates as illegal and detrimental to public health.
Key quote:
“Virginia is declaring independence – this time from a misguided electric vehicle mandate imposed by unelected leaders nearly 3,000 miles away from the Commonwealth.”
— Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
Why this matters:
California's standards are known for their stringent limits on vehicle emissions, including greenhouse gases and other pollutants that contribute to respiratory issues and climate warming. By aligning more closely with federal standards, which are generally less rigorous, Virginia may see increased vehicle emissions, potentially affecting air quality and public health.
