Maine is now on a path toward adopting vehicle emissions regulations akin to those currently on the books in California — rules that will effectively ban the sale of vehicles with gas-powered internal combustion engines in the state.
Two citizen petitions – initiated by the Natural Resources Council of Maine – were successfully submitted earlier this year asking the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to incorporate “the requirements of the California Advanced Clean Cars II” and “California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation” into Maine’s existing regulatory code.
Adoption of these new regulations would essentially result in the state phasing out the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks in favor of zero-emissions vehicles over the course of the next few years.
Instead, residents of Maine, which has some of the highest electricity prices in the country, would be forced to use electric vehicles.
A public hearing has been scheduled by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for August 17th at 9am in the Augusta Civic Center. Public comment on the matter will be accepted through August 28th.
Whether the final rule is adopted will depend on Gov. Janet Mills. The regulation is categorized as a “routine technical” rule rather than a “major substantive rule. That means adopting the proposed rules would not require legislative approval.
How Were These Rule-Making Requests Submitted?
According to Maine law, anyone can ask a state agency to adopt or change a rule so long as they are able to submit a petition signed by 150-plus registered voters supporting the request in question.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine utilized this procedure to bring these regulatory propositions before the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Proposed Regulations for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles
Regarding everyday vehicles – including passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles – the proposed regulations would require that 43 percent of sales in Maine be comprised of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) for the 2027 model year, increasing to 82 percent for the 2032 model year.
Below is a graphic from the Rulemaking Fact Sheet published by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection illustrating the proposed yearly increase in the percentage of vehicles sold to Mainers that must be ZEVs.
These regulations would also impose more stringent pollution standards for cars utilizing internal combustion engines.
Additionally, the fact sheet directly acknowledges that the proposed regulations would result in “higher upfront costs” for manufactures who wish to produce and sell cars in Maine. It further recognizes that manufactures may opt to pass these costs onto Maine consumers.
It argued, however, that the cost-savings associated with owning and operating cars that adhere to their standards would off-set this expense. Although, an analysis by Car and Driver suggests it’s not always the case that electric vehicles are cheaper to own than their gas-powered counterparts.
According to the fact sheet:
[The regulation] imposes requirements on vehicle manufacturers to produce and sell vehicles in our state that may have higher upfront costs.
While there are no direct costs to individuals as a result of these rules, vehicle manufacturers may choose to pass down costs to consumers.
Overall direct cost savings to consumers from the use of the vehicles will be significant because of the fuel cost savings, lower maintenance, and increased longevity improvements.
Proposed Regulations for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Trucks
In terms of the standards proposed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine concerning medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, the proposed rules would require manufacturers to ensure that an increasingly high percentage of the vehicles sold to Maine consumers were ZEVs.
The percentages required by the regulations range from 15 percent to 75 percent depending upon vehicle class and model year.
In 2022, electric vehicles represented just 4.5 percent of bus sales and 1.2 percent of heavy-duty truck sales.
Below is a table included in the fact sheet outlining what percentage of vehicles sold must be ZEVs, organized by model year and vehicle class.
As done in the other fact sheet, the organization argued in the fact sheet for these regulations that the increased up-front cost of compliance that will likely be passed along to consumers will be off-set over time for vehicle owners by decreased maintenance and usage costs.
Maine & California’s Vehicle Emissions Regulations
Since the 1960s, California has been granted the authority to impose more stringent air quality regulations with regard to vehicle emission than the those set by the federal government. Although this allowance was temporarily revoked in the late-2010s during former President Trump’s administration, President Biden reinstated it early last year.
Under this system, other states throughout the country are subsequently allowed to follow California’s lead in adopting these more restrictive standards. Any state that voluntarily decides to adhere to these regulations is in turn subjected to the enforcement authority of the California Air Resources Board.
The aforementioned regulatory changes now up for consideration in Maine fall under the umbrella of this recently-revived system.
It is also worth noting that this is not the first time that Maine has moved to adopt California-style vehicle emissions regulations. Maine currently has agreed to abide by California’s emissions standards for vehicles up through model year 2025.
Last August, California officially adopted a new regulation requiring that 100% of passenger cars sold in the state be ZEVs by 2035.
It remains to be seen whether or not an effort will also be made in the future by environmentalist groups in Maine to incorporate this standard into the state’s regulatory code as well.
In August of last year, Gov. Janet Mills (D) did state that she would not allow Maine to “blindly” follow California’s lead with regards to this particular proposal.
Having just moved here, I’m realizing I’ve made a terrible mistake. This state is run by idiots and the morons who elected them are deserve what they get. I won’t let the door hit me in the ass when I leave.
Maine citizens:
Nip it now…. in the bud…. or become another sheethole state like CA. Get that pos out of office.
Wake up fellow Mainers, Maine is not considering this Dictator Mills is considering this. Did it ever occur to every freedom loving Mainer,we all need to get rid of this dictator?
Supreme Soviet Mills never met a campaign promise she could keep.
Marxist Mills has destroyed a once great state. She is a wicked traitor to hard-working Maine people BTW, one out of ten Maine people go hungry every day. Marxist Mills has forgotten about the Maine people. Never Vote Democrat! She is a disgrace to Americans.
The lifelong public sector hack, Comrade Mills, could very well be the worst governor in the state’s history. Issue after issue, she is in lock step with her Marxist supporters. The question, as with Obama and Biden, would be: Is she incompetent or are her policies deliberately destructive? I suggest the latter. Either way, she’s a total disaster.
Ditto to the comments above!
This state is loaded with main stream media educated commy progressive Marxist moonbats. Void of intellect and way too ignorant to do what’s right. Mills is the result of more election shenanigans ,like Shah and Komerade Beck with Bellows overseeing it all!
Please for the sake of sanity at all let everyone know how bad this is. This state has been decimated to far already. The facts are the facts technology is not there to go down this path. Tell me as a contractor how I’m supposed to plow snow and get to work all in same day and make a living while waiting for truck to charge it don’t make sense.
This is not going to work if you live off grid.
I think Janet knows needs to be out of office I don’t know who put her in the office again or who even voted for her but she’s making Maine so much worse I’ve been here a long time resident of 43 years and I’ve seen nothing like it since Janet knows has been in office you guys need to vote her out
Get Janet Mills out of office that’s all I can say cuz she’s making me so much worse and I don’t even vote but I know when I do it will be for a good reason not to put some money hungry woman in office
Excellent article. Unfortunately this will be passed in the dark of night by the cowards in Augusta with no public comment. Maine is circling the drain as these progressives run wild.
Maine Wire, maybe you can run the article you had a while back about the realities of EVs?
Not only are they toxic from start to finish, they are expensive to maintain and repair.
Can you imagine these in Northern Maine?
Or the North Woods?
Mills and her ilk are controlling socialists and I’m guessing there’s money in this for Mills somewhere.
This is what you get when morons elect idiots
Has it ever occurred to those promoting electric-powered-only devices – cars, cook stoves, computers, appliances, etc., etc., etc. – where electricity comes from?
Fossil fuels.
It’s more expensive to consume second-hand power (which electricity is, for most of us) than first-hand power (which gas, oil, coal, and nuclear are). The environmentalists (who went AWOL from reality some time ago) have shot themselves in the foot by standing in the way of power generation by water (hydraulic – dams), wind (the windmills are an eyesore), and solar (we can’t tax the sun).
I have yet to see an electric construction-grade bucket loader that has the torque to do the job.
If she loves California so much – MOVE THERE!!!! We want our State to be FREE of Marxist ideology.
“Bless her heart,” is a southern expression for the not so swift of thinking. Mills not only kills kids with her policies but she serves the people who really rule.
The grid is becoming unreliable, some say declining, unable to keep up with demand. Also a way to limit travel or to shut someone off. Imagine being stuck in a snowbank without heat, or cooking in a battery fire.
Maine coastline and woods should be for the “pretty people,” those who can afford to support Mills in the way she would like to be accustomed, rich. Winter is coming Bitches.
This is just part of the globalist plan. You will own nothing, rent everything, live in a 15-minute city, eat bugs, get a monthly stipend from the Feds, have no privacy and have every aspect of your pitiful life completely controlled. People can fuss all they want about the lack of capacity in the grid, but you need to understand, the plan does not call for a one for one replacement of gas vehicles, with EVs. There will only be as many EVs as the grid will allow. The push to all electric homes just means you’ll be going without refrigeration, heating, cooling, well water, washers, dryers….all the appliances we now enjoy that make our lives easier….because the grid can’t handle it all and they Marxists in charge know it. How many times this summer have we heard about the threat of rolling blackouts in other parts of the country. The Boondoggle wind project won’t provide enough power so get ready to live in the stone age.
Bad idea the cost of these vehicles can only be affordable for a few.Not to mention we still don’t know if electric is the answer. Car companies are still developing hydrogen motors so why make a law that could affect so many people negatively?
We need to stop Mills. She took an oath to work for Maine people and all I can see is her putting a nail in Maine coffin daily. California has had a mass exodus of people because these Democrat moon bats are running everything
Can’t wait for all fishing boats to become electrified. Wonder if they’ll be able to ‘fill up ‘ at the nearest windmill?
And no one’s said anything about the electric snow machines that are probably next on their list…
Nhbound… Check with your realtor before you sell your house, Maine has a nice going away tax for you. Cost me nearly 30 grand to be an ex-Mainer.
Not to mention all the logging machines that will need to be replaced. Just a backdoor way of getting rid of the logging industry.
Time to check all the signatures and demand transcripts of any contacts between the commissar and the NRC prior to this public release. Not to mention a complaint to the Secretary of State about a nonprofit getting involved in such a political act. And just confirm that California Air Resources board will not be enforcing this (see the article).
Holy Crap
Love reading these comments !!!
Maine has a major Homeless / Immigrant PROBLEM , and we’re focusing with what the West Coast is doing 😞😞😞😞. Electric Autos are (Fun Toys) that are not practical for the Low / Mid income individuals nor everyday use 😕😔😕
There’s absolutely NO organization in United States , for the Politicians are looking after themselves, and not the good for the country’s people !!!
Holy Crap
Love reading these comments !!!
. Electric Autos are (Fun Toys) that are not practical for the Low / Mid income individuals nor everyday use 😕😔😕
There’s absolutely NO organization in United States , for the Politicians are looking after themselves, and not the good for the country’s people !!!
This is insane. Not only are these vehicles more expensive upfront they’re all more expensive to fix and maintain. This government is completely disconnected from the reality of this state. We are poor and aging, we can’t afford to martyr ourselves for problems that are far far larger than Maine.
This is 100% the WORST idea for this state. Almost no one could afford this crap and our state sure as he’ll can’t provide the infrastructure that this would require. This state has FAR to many people that DONT EVEN HAVE ELECTRICITY OR USE GENERATORS FOR POWER. 0 of those people could have an EV and personally for me the closest charger is 35 miles from me currently.
I plan the southern parts of the state for her re-election if you looked at the map of votes for the last election 75% of the state voted for the other side.. Portland and its surrounding towns voted Mills and a few other little spots. Mills won. If you look at towns/cities in Maine Portland has the most asinine laws and Mills has the same mentality.
Blame Mills*
Electric vehicles do not work in Northern Maine, We get below 0 temperatures, The calcium they put on the road is eating up the connections to the electric vehicles. It’s a no
brainer, it don’t work.
We cannot go this route. This INSANITY needs to stop! Maine is on the tail end of the north American tail pipe. We get the emissions from the western and northern part of the continent. We are losing business left and right because of our high costs of conducting business. We are losing our children once they leave college for a less expensive place to live with better pay. I live in Washington County which is the bottom tier whennit comes to anyone wanting to move here. We have no professional services because there is nothing here to keep anyone from leaving. By following Californication, this state Will continue to hemorrhage employment opportunities as well as our youth. No tourist will want to visit. ZEVs will eventually include agricultural and fishing equipment, construction vehicles and will kill what little we have left in this state for jobs. And lastly WE DON’T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT IT NOR DO WE HAVE THE MONEY TO BUILD IT!
Worst idea Maine has had. We don’t need windmills in the ocean, insisting we go electric vehicles and killing our unborn babies.
How is an electric plow truck gonna do its job if the batteries don’t work in cold weather?
Also, you think it’s “green energy” supplying those charging stations?
Maine is not California. I don’t think California even WANTS to be California right now…
I’m reserving my moving van now because the mass exodus will soon begin!
Run far, far away from any Blue State!!
We have to stop the insanity. EV’s are not a good fit for Maine. I have an auto tech in my family. These cars can not take Maine winters. They lose power in the summer because people use air conditioning when it’s 80 degrees out, this drains the batteries much faster. We are a rural state mostly, where are the charges going to be? How much is it going to cost you to charge up your car? How much will it cost you to put a charger in your garage? How much will the electricity cost to charge up the car? Add all that extra to your normal electric bill, which is astronomical in this state ,and you’ll realize that making sure this “Rule” doesn’t go through.
IT WILL NOT, WORK AT ALL!! ABSOLUTELY BRAIN DEAD IGNORANT STUPID IDEA!! LIKE SOMEONE ELSE SAID, IF MILLS WANTS TO BE IN CALIFORNIA LIKE RULES, SHE CAN GO LIVE IN CALIFORNIA!! SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR THE MAINE PEOPLE, NOT HER OWN AGENDA. AGAIN ABSOLUTELY STUPID IDEA.
IT WILL NOT, WORK AT ALL!! ABSOLUTELY BRAIN DEAD IGNORANT STUPID IDEA!!
The people of Maine have been infiltrated by every liberal/communist from MA, CT, NY, NJ and RI. Have you had enough ? What was once a beautiful and common sense state is turning into the exact Sh*thole that California, Oregon and Washington are. Just take a look around at any town, city or village from Bangor south and west to NH. You can’t spit and not hit a bum, welfare leech or illegal alien. People of Maine have you had enough!!!
This old crypt keeper and her liberal idealist goals need to go…
Jeez…why did I move here. If this goes through, General Mills will usher in a golden age of further economic hardship, poverty, and skyrocketing energy prices. Wake up, Maine, time to fight back. If you’d like to write and let your voice be heard: [email protected]
The Democrats invested heavily in the EV industry so is it any wonder that when their advertising push failed they would turn to creating laws to force compliance? Maine has some of the highest electricity rates in the country, very limited charging stations and extreme weather. These EVs don’t do well with water, cold or snow and ice. Most people can’t afford to buy or repair them. How is this new plan of Mills and the Democrats offering any benefit to Mainers except straining the grid further? Another rotten idea intended to please Biden at the expense of citizens. Mills and all like her have got to go.
Probably going to follow California in legalizing pedophilia as well. You a real asset Mills.
Just wait until the sheep hand the keys to Central Maine Power over to General Mills ! All part of the plan .