The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) is set to hold a public hearing at 9am on August 17 in the Augusta Civic Center to hear from the public about the California-style vehicle emissions regulations currently under consideration by the agency.
Public comment on the matter will also be accepted via email through August 28 at [email protected].
Two citizen petitions – initiated by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) – were successfully submitted earlier this year asking the Maine DEP 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 in favor of electric vehicles (EVs).
[RELATED: Maine Considering California-style Rules to Limit Sales of Gas-Powered Cars and Trucks]
Given the state’s frigid winter temperatures, the switch to more expensive EVs would likely be particularly challenging for Mainers. According to a scientific study published in 2020, cold temperatures cause EVs to charge at a significantly slower rate.
Another study showed that cold temperatures can cause an EVs potential driving range to decrease by as much as 35 percent. Not only does cold weather impact the efficacy of the chemical reactions needed for EV batteries to operate, but heating the cabin of the car also leads to a shorter total trip range.
Unlike traditional internal combustion vehicles — which draw heat from the engine to warm the car’s cabin — EVs have to use energy from the battery to accomplish the same task.
[RELATED: Electric Vehicles vs. Maine Winters: Will EVs struggle with Maine’s frigid cold?]
The proposed regulations would require that 43 percent of everyday vehicles sold in Maine be comprised of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) for the 2027 model year, increasing to 82 percent for the 2032 model year.
For medium- and heavy-duty trucks, the proposed rules would require manufacturers to ensure that an increasingly high percentage of the vehicles sold to Maine consumers were ZEVs, ranging from 15 percent to 75 percent depending upon vehicle class and model year.
In August of last year, Gov. Janet Mills (D) stated that, despite following California’s lead in the past, she would not allow Maine to “blindly” follow in their footsteps with regard to these proposals.
Nonetheless, it still remains to be seen how the Maine DEP will handle the NRCM’s petitions.
According to a press release published this morning, several Republican state representatives will be present at Thursday’s public hearing to offer comment in opposition to the proposals.
Because the rule changes are not categorized as “major substantive,” they will not require the approval of the State Legislature if the Mills Administration decides to approve them.
More information about these proposals, as well as the upcoming hearing and public comment submission period can be found here.
Czarina Mills lies.
Stuff Mills into one of the Teslas and launch it straight into the Sun.