(PatrioticPost.com)- Andrew Wheeler, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, slammed plans put forward by California Governor Gavin Newsom to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Wheeler even suggested that the plan could be illegal, and referenced the fact that California is already struggling to keep the lights on because of its ambitious and arguably extreme clean energy policy.
In a letter sent to the Democratic California governor on Monday, Wheeler said that the order signed by Newsom appeared to be “mostly aspiration” and warned that following through with other sections of the order would first require the approval and permission of the federal government.
“Your recent Executive Order (EO) established a goal that 100 percent of new vehicle sales be zero emission by 2035 raises serious questions regarding its legality and practicality,” Wheeler said. “While the EO seems mostly aspirational and on its own would accomplish very little, any attempt by the California Air Resources Board to implement sections of it may require California to request a waiver to U.S. EPA.”
Wheeler even said that beyond the “significant questions of legality” is the issue of consume demand for electric vehicles, and how the state is “already struggling to maintain reliable electricity for today’s demands.”
If California can’t keep up with the demand for electricity while most people are driving gas-powered cars, then how can it keep up with that demand when people are driving electric vehicles?
“California’s record of rolling blackouts – unprecedented in size and scope – coupled with recent requests to neighboring states for power begs the question of how you expect to run an electric car fleet that will come with significant increases in electricity demand when you can’t even keep the lights on today,” he added.
Newsom has faced intense criticism lately for attempting to close down the last remaining nuclear power plant in California. Even as Newsom claims the world is a facing a “climate crisis,” he is vowing to shut down one of the most efficient and cleanest forms of energy currently available to us.
If you care so much about the climate why are you trying to close California’s last nuclear power plant?
Diablo Canyon:
– provides clean energy to 3M people
– is needed to fuel EVs
– is set to be replaced by fossil fuels, creating CO2-equivalent to adding 2M cars to road https://t.co/C4LkhY15TG
— Mike Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) September 23, 2020
So without nuclear power, and with current technology being incapable of supplying the state with the energy it needs from green sources, how can Newsom keep electric cars charged?
