Press Release

For Immediate Release

OOIDA supports bill to limit EPA waiver authority

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supports the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (S996), a legislative effort aimed at limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to issue Clean Air Act waivers. The bill was introduced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and seeks to prevent states like California from enacting policies that ban or limit the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines.

“Setting national policy is the responsibility of Congress, not California. It’s no wonder small-business truckers have left the state in droves to find better opportunities elsewhere. For OOIDA members, vehicle reliability and affordability are critical,” said Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA. “So far, there is no convincing evidence that electric commercial motor vehicles are a viable option for small-business truckers given the high costs and inadequate charging infrastructure. OOIDA and our 150,000 members appreciate Senator Mullin’s continued leadership in advancing this commonsense legislation to protect small-business truckers nationwide from California’s regulatory encroachments.”

The bill aims to curb the growing influence of California’s Air Resources Board (CARB), which adopted its Advanced Clean Cars II regulation in 2022, seeking to phase out the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles in favor of electric alternatives. Sen. Mullin has expressed concerns that such regulations undermine consumer choice and overreach federal authority.

“California’s waivers are not about clean energy; they are about control,” Mullin said. “For four years, Washington Democrats worked to overregulate every aspect of Americans’ lives – including what car they drive. Now that President Trump is back in office, it’s critical we protect Americans’ freedom to choose what vehicle is best for themselves and their families and allow consumer choice to dictate the market.”

Supporters of the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act argue that preserving consumer choice is crucial to maintaining competition in the automotive market and ensuring that Americans continue to have access to reliable and affordable vehicles.

The bill is also endorsed by several organizations, including the American Trucking Associations, the Western Energy Alliance, and the American Energy Alliance. The introduction of the bill follows a recent announcement by the EPA of a series of deregulatory actions, including a reconsideration of Phase 3 heavy-duty truck and 2022 heavy-duty nitrogen oxide rules.