Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act
2/11/2025, 5:08 AMSummary of Bill HR 346
Bill 119 HR 346, also known as the "Clean Air Act Amendment to Prevent Elimination of Internal Combustion Engines," aims to make changes to the Clean Air Act in order to prevent the elimination of the sale of internal combustion engines.The bill seeks to address concerns about the potential impact on the automotive industry and consumers if internal combustion engines were to be phased out entirely. It aims to ensure that consumers continue to have the option to purchase vehicles with internal combustion engines, while also promoting the development and adoption of cleaner and more efficient technologies.
Specifically, the bill includes provisions that would prohibit any federal agency from implementing regulations that would ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines. It also calls for the establishment of a task force to study the potential impacts of phasing out internal combustion engines and to make recommendations for how to balance environmental concerns with the needs of the automotive industry and consumers. Overall, the goal of Bill 119 HR 346 is to strike a balance between promoting cleaner air and protecting consumer choice and the automotive industry. It reflects the ongoing debate about the future of transportation and the role of internal combustion engines in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Congressional Summary of HR 346
Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act
This bill modifies the waiver process under the Clean Air Act related to state emission control standards for new motor vehicles (or new motor vehicle engines).
Under current law, states are preempted from adopting or enforcing emission control standards for new motor vehicles (or new motor vehicle engines) unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a waiver authorizing a state to adopt such standards if certain requirements are met.
The bill provides that state standards that directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines are not eligible for waivers. The bill also prohibits the EPA from determining that any state standards amended after the bill's enactment are within the scope of an existing waiver.
Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to revoke waivers granted between January 1, 2022, and the date of enactment of this bill if the standards directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines.
