Toledo, Ohio – At a meeting in downtown Toledo’s One Government Center, a mixed group including mayors, senators, members of the U.S. House, Ohio’s second-in-command, and its top lawyer, came together on Thursday. They were there to speak out against new rules suggested by the EPA that they believe would be bad for Ohio.
Around 200 people who work in car manufacturing and oil refining were there too, holding signs with messages like “save our jobs” and “don’t take away our cars.”
These signs show the worry over the EPA’s proposed rules that would make car makers cut down on pollution starting in 2027.
Experts have said this would mean big changes for the car industry, with a prediction that 67% of cars made would be electric by 2032.
However, this group of both democratic and republican leaders said that Ohio isn’t ready for such a change.
“First of all, it can’t be achieved. In 2023, 554,575 automobiles were sold in Ohio, and 16,562 of them were electric. 2.99%,” said Husted. “We have a federal law that’s going to require that 67% of them be accomplished in just a few short years. Is that unrealistic or what?”
Over the last few years, President Biden has been working hard to bridge a significant gap. In April of last year, he enacted a bipartisan infrastructure law, allocating around $7.5 billion for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and $10 billion for EV battery development.
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However, figures such as County Commissioner Anita Lopez, who is also a Democrat, have raised alarms that the local infrastructure may not be capable of handling such a rapid expansion.
“We are now just getting internet and access to internet in rural communities, in central city communities,” said Lopez. “How are we going to make EV vehicle chargers in the rural communities, in the central city? This has not been thought through.”
Republican State Representative Josh Williams from Sylvania voiced concerns about the affordability of electric vehicles for average Americans
“The single mother in our community working three jobs just to put a roof over her head can’t afford a $70,000 electric vehicle,” Williams said.
The question also arises about the fate of oil refineries like Cenovus and Marathon. Local 500 members showed up at the rally in support, echoing the sentiment that the proposed EPA regulations are too aggressive and premature.
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Currently, the EPA’s suggested policies are being examined by the White House, with a decision anticipated in March.