John Gaskey, the state representative for Massachusetts’ 2nd Plymouth District, said California’s unchecked regulatory influence on auto policy could bankrupt the national transportation system.
“In a word, Yes. This is something that has been a long time coming,” said Gaskey. “CARB has been controlling the automobile industry unchecked and unchallenged. It is estimated that it will cost MA taxpayers $850B to go electric. Ultimately it drives the country toward ‘you will own nothing, and like it'”
According to reports, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is responsible for setting air quality and vehicle emissions standards in the state. Under the Clean Air Act, CARB has the authority to implement stricter regulations than federal standards. Other states can choose to adopt these standards, which many have done, affecting national vehicle manufacturing norms. In 2022, CARB mandated that all new cars sold in California be zero-emission by 2035. This policy has been praised for its environmental goals but criticized for potential economic repercussions.
A report from 2021 by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation noted that Massachusetts collected $2.2 billion in transportation-related revenues in fiscal year 2017, including $850 million from motor vehicle sales taxes. The report warns that as electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent, traditional revenue streams could be threatened due to reduced gasoline consumption and changes in vehicle ownership models. It calls for a comprehensive transportation finance plan to address these challenges.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) indicates that as of 2024, 17 states follow CARB’s vehicle emission standards under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. These states represent about 40% of the U.S. car market. As a result, automakers often align their entire fleet offerings with CARB’s rules due to the significant market size of these states combined, leading to broader national impacts even in states not formally adopting the standards.
Dr. John Gaskey is also a former professor and author with expertise in economics, public policy, and renewable energy advocacy. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Economy and has provided commentary on state-level energy policies, critiquing decarbonization mandates and electric vehicle transitions. His work focuses on examining economic trade-offs within regulatory frameworks concerning affordability, energy reliability, and consumer impacts.
