Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
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BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined Brian Sullivan on CNBC’s “Last Call” to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new light- and medium- duty vehicle emission standards. The emissions reductions proposal is so stringent, the EPA projects EVs could make up 67 percent of new light-duty vehicles within the next nine years. Excerpts and full video are below.
On the Rule’s Manufacturing Burdens, Market Dissonance:
“[The Biden administration and its EPA] are putting all of this on the manufacturer. They’re trying to push a supply where demand isn’t ready – not even close to ready – particularly in the timelines and the degree to which they’re proposing in this proposal. Maybe it is just a negotiating starting point, as you hear from auto dealers and others, but there are so many problems with this ‘electric vehicle utopia.’ They’re trying to settle climate change, or, they’re calling it climate change, but they’re really pushing their favorite industry, and it’s not going to add up.”
On Supply Chain Security Ramifications:
“The vast majority of the critical minerals and rare earth minerals that are required for the batteries, and the technology to go into an electric vehicle, aren’t in the United States. Or, at least, to the degree that they are, they’re not allowed to be mined by the same type of people who have this electric vehicle desire. So, that means we become more dependent on China and outsourcing a very critical supply chain. Big problem.”
“Obviously, this is a national security issue when you make us even more dependent on China for critical supply chains and perhaps the entire vehicle. On top of that, they want to subsidize it so rich people can buy these vehicles from other countries. None of it adds up. It’s chaotic. It’s not a holistic plan at all.”