Maine’s top environmental regulator has made a surprising move by rejecting a proposed state electric vehicle (EV) mandate, going against the climate concerns raised by environmental groups and Democrats. The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) decided to turn down the Advanced Clean Cars program after facing overwhelming opposition from various stakeholders and citizens. The proposed program aimed to enforce regulations similar to those approved in California, which would require that at least 51% of new car purchases in the state be electric by 2028 and 82% be electric by 2032.
Maine Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart highlighted the disapproval of the EV mandate, stating that the BEP received nearly 1,800 comments from Maine residents, with approximately 84% expressing their opposition. Stewart emphasized that Maine’s rural nature, combined with the scarcity of charging stations and concerns over the reliability of electric vehicles in extreme cold weather, made the mandate impractical for the state.
Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills has been actively pursuing a comprehensive climate agenda, advocating for vehicle electrification and green energy development. However, the BEP filings revealed that out of the 1,783 public comment letters received earlier this year, only 287 supported the Advanced Clean Cars rule, while a significant 1,496 letters expressed opposition. Notably, stakeholders such as the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Maine Automobile Dealers Association, and Democratic Maine Representative Jared Golden, who represents a predominantly rural congressional district, also voiced their concerns.
Representative Golden acknowledged the importance of affordable transportation in rural Maine, asserting that the state must recognize the logistical and financial challenges associated with California-style emissions standards. He commended the BEP for making the right decision in rejecting the proposed mandate.
The vote on adopting the Advanced Clean Car Program was originally scheduled for late December but was postponed due to a severe windstorm that caused widespread power outages across the state. The BEP later proposed a slightly modified version of the EV mandate, pushing the start date from 2027 to 2028. They also opened another round of public comments and stakeholder input until early February.
Critics of aggressive EV requirements have raised concerns about Maine’s power grid’s capacity to handle the increased demand that widespread EV adoption would bring. They also highlighted the potential vulnerability of an electrified transportation sector during power outages caused by severe weather events like the December windstorm.
Following California’s introduction of its sweeping EV mandate in 2022, several states have followed suit. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his commitment to lead the way towards a zero-emission transportation future. However, Maine’s current electric and plug-in hybrid car purchases accounted for only 5.8% of total car purchases last year, lower than the national average of 9.3%.
While more than a dozen states have successfully adopted California’s EV mandate regulations, Maine’s rejection highlights the unique considerations that each state must take into account when implementing such policies. Democratic Governor Janet Mills, known for her aggressive climate agenda, did not provide a comment at the time of the press.
In conclusion, Maine’s decision to reject the proposed EV mandate reflects the concerns raised by stakeholders and citizens regarding the state’s rural nature, limited charging infrastructure, and extreme weather conditions. The rejection serves as a reminder that each state must carefully evaluate the feasibility and practicality of implementing such mandates, taking into account their specific circumstances and requirements.
