President Biden Vetoes Bipartisan Resolution to Limit EPA Regulations

This week, President Biden vetoed a bipartisan supported resolution to strike down the harsh and limiting emissions regulations for trucks and heavy-duty vehicles implemented by the EPA in late 2022. President Biden and the EPA intend to heavily reduce emissions through these regulations, but they fail to consider the repercussions of an accelerated transition to electric vehicles, which the current electric grid and American people cannot handle.

As this measure pushes manufacturers to transform their business from gas to electric, our electric grid will be driven to its breaking point. Although the electric grid has received funding, it does not go far enough in securing its future and the ability to support a rapid transition to electric vehicles.

There have been major attempts by the Biden administration to modernize the electric grid with over 549 policy actions and a budget of $12.86 billion at the end of 2022. However, regulators only approved a fraction of the budget, $478.7 million, according to the NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Another recent EPA regulation could undermine the electric grid even further by effectively shutting down the majority of natural gas-powered powerplants by 2035.  It is clear that we must modernize and maintain our electric grid in order to support increased reliance on EVs. However, we cannot steamroll over the very infrastructure that is the backbone of our economy.

Additionally, high prices, scarcity of these new vehicles and more stringent regulations will conversely affect every aspect of our economy. From getting to work to receiving a package, the high costs will be reflected in pricing and a decline in efficiency. With high inflation rates and the effects of the pandemic continuing to linger on our economy, companies cannot afford to keep up with these rushed and misguided regulations without a clear support structure.

A healthy and sustainable future cannot be rushed. Instead of focusing on changing regulations now, we should focus on considering all aspects of this transition and ensuring these regulations are supported by a strong electrical grid and economy.