Why does the Biden administration want to slow down key emissions rules? How can it affect me

As the 2024 General Election approaches, the Biden administration is beginning to make its case to voters. The campaign faces an uphill challenge as the president’s approval rating continues to fall, and a growing number of Democratic voters are displeased that he will once again lead the ticket.

For many young voters, climate change is one of the most critical issues on their radar, and to date, the administration’s action on the issue has not met the expectations of this critical contingent.

Backtracking begins...

Last year, President Biden introduced emissions standards for automotive companies that would encourage the industry to move away from cars powered by fossil fuels. Under the rules, by 2032, two-thirds of vehicles purchased in the country must be electric. By 2023, the regulation was expected to encourage consumers to go electric, with sixty percent of cars sold being EVs by 2030.

Currently, the figure stands around ten percent, highlighting the need to push the industry to invest in technologies that make EVs more affordable. To support this effort, the regulations encouraging manufacturers to move towards EVs have been bolstered by tax credits for taxpayers who purchase certain electric vehicles to increase demand for battery-powered cars. In the short term, there are not likely to be significant impacts on the public, as the tax credit for EVs will still be made available.

Now, CNN is reporting that the implementation will be delayed after facing backlash from labor unions and industry leaders. The United Autoworkers Union has pressed the administration to relax the tailpipe emissions standards because of the risk such a quick transition away from gas-powered vehicles could have on job security. The decision to roll back the rules shows that labor and climate change continue to be pinned against each other, with the White House unable or unwilling to identify solutions that protect workers and the environment. CNN’s report indicated that the EPA is contemplating postponing the regulations’ implementation until the year 2030. This delay may hinder the switch to electric vehicles. According to their defense, the same reduction in emissions can still be achieved even with the postponed implementation. However, this defense is questionable as the delay may cause a reduction in the number of EVs purchased between the original implementation date and the new deadline. During this period, some consumers may opt for a gas-powered vehicle instead of an electric one, which they might have chosen had the regulations encouraged manufacturers to invest more in producing EVs.