Glenn Youngkin declares 'independence from California' by pulling Virginia out of stringent emissions pact

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday, June 5, decided to rescind the state's participation in a 2021 agreement that sought adherence to California's rigorous emissions standards.

Per Fox News, California's Air Resources Board (CARB) standards included a provision for a ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by the year 2035.

The gubernatorial move has been met with opposition from some state Democrats despite unsuccessful attempts by Gov Youngkin and other legislative Republicans to annul the law in the past.

What did Governor Youngkin say about his decision to move away from California’s emission standards?

In an interview Thursday, Gov Youngkin simply stated, "They're wrong," in response to Democratic criticism that he and Attorney General Jason Miyares were overstepping their authority.

He went on to say, "In fact, the law is very clear and the [Miyares]' opinion is clear and straightforward. The California Regulatory Framework ACC-1 sunsets on December 31st, 2024."

"The new California framework, ACC-2, we are choosing not to enter into and are exercising our autonomous decision authority to, in fact, place ourselves under the federal government's guidelines here as opposed to California," the Republican governor claimed.

"There's no controversy. And once again, these are the exact same legislators that surrendered Virginia's autonomy in decision-making over this, over this issue to California's unregulated regulators. And, we're taking it back," Youngkin declared.

The second-ranking Democrat in the chamber, state Senator Scott Surovell, compared Youngkin to Russian leader Vladimir Putin in response to the administration's recent decision and charged that Miyares was providing Youngkin with "cover" to operate in that capacity.

Senator Surovell described Youngkin and Miyares' decisions as "reckless, illegal, and unconstitutional."

"[They] are destructive of Virginia's pro-business reputation," Surovell asserted, arguing that the American Revolution was fought to ensure that no state executive could ever "nullify laws by-press-conference."

The Putin accusation seemed to have little effect on Governor Youngkin, who told Fox News Digital that Virginia had "declared independence yesterday from California."

"Virginians should be deciding what car they drive, not California's unelected regulators,” he remarked, adding, “These misguided mandates were wrong from the beginning and we are going to liberate Virginia from them."

He estimated that Virginians would have to pay a net $1.2 billion to comply with the regulatory agreement if it were to stay in place, calling it an unfair financial burden on the state's hardworking people.

Gov Youngkin noted that the future of US energy production and technology will be shaped by American innovation rather than bureaucratic whims.

State Senator Ryan McDougle, a Republican from New Kent County who backed Youngkin's request to withdraw, claimed in a statement that the CARB criteria are exclusive to California and Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom's directives.

"Virginia’s laws should not be determined by California politicians,” McDougle said. “Instead, our laws should be decided by Virginians who are elected to serve Virginia and address issues that face our commonwealth, not a state nearly 3,000 miles away."

State Attorney General Jason Miyares proposed that if the Democratic majority in the General Assembly wishes to draft legislation imposing outside supervision over Virginia residents' vehicle purchases, he welcomes the debate.

"That's the beauty of democracy," he said, branding California's rules unrealistic and exorbitant. "If you want to purchase an electric vehicle, that is your choice, but, rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all mandate, I want Virginia consumers to choose the transportation options that best suit their specific needs and circumstances."

Internet divided as Governor Glenn Youngkin pulls out of stringent emissions pact

One X user remarked, "Asthma rates are about to go higher."

Another user said, "Even California will be forced to exit the emissions pact."

Another user wrote, "If Scott Surovell likes California so much he should move there. I hear they have room."

One user claimed, "Great. Let him pay higher taxes and STOP leeching off the blue states."

Another X user argued, ".@CAgovernor is delusional, went from $100 billion surplus to $45 billion deficit in 3 years… now incompetent proposes to raise gas taxes."

Finally, this user tweeted, "DEFINITELY GREAT JOB YOUNGKIN."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.