Sen. Gordon Statement on Proposed Ban of Gas-Powered Vehicles in CT
August 21, 2023
Encourages public to speak out at August 22 DEEP hearing, provide written testimony
State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) issued the following statement on the Lamont Administration’s proposed ban of all gas-powered vehicles in 2035. This drastic mandate on cars and trucks in the state will affect all Connecticut families and businesses.
“I remain very concerned that Connecticut is a high-cost-of-living state with high energy costs and a high tax burden. We all feel it every day. I am fighting to make Connecticut more affordable and livable for hard-working people, families, retirees, and job-creating small businesses. The state’s proposed, unfunded mandates could have serious consequences for you.
“Where will all the extra electricity come from? Will electric vehicles be affordable? How will people and landlords pay for residential charging stations? Who will foot the bill for the increased demand on public infrastructure? Might it be taxpayers and electricity users, like you? How will people afford the increased business and transportation costs that would get passed onto the prices of food, goods, and services? Approximately 60 percent of our electricity comes from burning natural gas. Increased electricity demand means burning more natural gas. Aren’t we trying to avoid burning more natural gas?
“There would be a transition period during which EV electricity demand soars but electricity supply and transmission infrastructure lags. Before acting through mandates, it is important to plan appropriately and carefully. This planning should include all stakeholders, including residents. You do not need overly simplistic public policy mandates that are rushed to be enacted. Does the state government not want you to know or to be heard on this important topic?
“Therefore, the state should pause pushing through the EV mandates. Why tie ourselves to what California does? Connecticut is not California and the people of Connecticut have no input in what happens 3,000 miles away. In fact, the legislature ceded its responsibility when it delegated authority for DEEP bureaucrats to create big rules. The entire legislature, as your elected representation, does not get to review and vote upon the new rules. Only the 14 members of the legislature’s Regulation Review Committee get to do that. This is the wrong process to follow on such an impactful set of mandates. Instead, the legislature should hold public hearings, listen to what you have to say, debate the policy proposal, and make an informed decision.
“I support reasonable, responsible, and realistic efforts to deal with environmental concerns. Already, more people and businesses are buying electric vehicles without mandates. Manufacturers are building more electric vehicles without mandates. More Americans are likely to buy an EV as their next new vehicle—38 percent according to a Pew Research Study—without mandates. You deserve to make your own decision about what type of car or truck to buy without mandates. As the EV market grows and manufacturers build more, I welcome and support it. I am listening to what you have to say. Please reach out to me with your questions and concerns,” he said.
More on the Lamont Administration’s proposed gas-powered vehicle ban and EV mandate:
What is happening? Connecticut would require that the sale of all new passenger cars sold in the state to be zero emission vehicles (EV) by 2035. This requirement would ban the sale, rental, leasing, or other acquisition of gas-powered cars. Used vehicles and school buses are exempt. New gas-powered trucks would undergo a significant phase out. Links below to the proposed rules:
Why is this happening? In 2004, the legislature passed a law that requires the Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to adopt regulations implementing the light-duty motor vehicle emission standards of the state of California. In 2022, the legislature authorized the DEEP commissioner to adopt regulations implementing the medium- and heavy-duty motor vehicle standards of California. Senator Gordon was not in the legislature when these bills were passed.
How does this affect Connecticut Families? A ban on gas-powered vehicles would affect residents if they commute to work, go out to get groceries, go shopping, drive to medical appointments, or transport their children to school and other activities. It would also impact those who need a car or truck for their business to deliver goods or provide services.
What can residents do? Senator Gordon encourages everyone to let their voice be heard by contacting their state senator and representative, the Governor’s Office, and by submitting public testimony.
A public hearing for passenger vehicles will take place on August 22, 2023 at 9:00 AM.
Hearing Link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/j/81807291329
All persons interested in providing comments at the hearing must register at:
https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-6qpzopGN1HeEa0hX8pIHIl_2O3jWCm
A public hearing for trucks will take place on August 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
Hearing Link: https://ctdeep.zoom.us/j/87125048941
All persons interested in providing comments at the hearing must register at:
https://ctdeep.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdeyoqjMjHtX7jJG4FmIJTY8mCelygD1Q
Additional technical information:
ISO-NE manages the regional power grid, including Connecticut. What other states do affects Connecticut, thereby magnifying the impact on power generation, delivery, and use. ISO-NE forecasts that the 10-year regional electricity demand will increase 22 percent (23,000 GWH), the peak demand for typical summer days will increase 10 percent (2,400 GWH), and the peak demand for typical winter days will increase 31 percent (6700 GWH). The peak demand would increase more if we experience hotter summers and/or colder winters. ISO-NE also forecasts that EVs would increase the 10-year energy need in Connecticut by 1,222 percent (1,400 GWH) and overall, in New England by 2,512 percent (5,700 GWH).
According to ISO-NE, “The region’s millions of households and businesses create the demand for electricity on the power grid, which must be produced the instant it is needed because electricity cannot easily be stored in large quantities”. Even with innovation and “substantial investment made to modernize the transmission system and enable the free flow of low-cost power, additional transmission (and distribution) system upgrades will be needed to accommodate large amounts of diverse clean-energy resources—from large-scale offshore wind, to remote Canadian hydropower, to hundreds of thousands of distributed solar and storage resources”.
In California, the overall and peak demand electricity needs spiked during hot weather, requiring major efforts to decrease electricity use in order to avoid blackouts. If such happens here in Connecticut when demand increases but generation and distribution cannot keep up, residents and businesses will likely face undue hardship with charging their EVs.