By SCOTT LAMBERT
Minnesota new car dealers are all-in for the coming electric vehicle (EV) age. Our dealers are investing millions of dollars to improve our stores, and we’re ready to play an essential role in our customers’ EV buying experience, before and after they make their purchase.
But we’re not all-in for the mandate imposed by the Walz administration’s California Car proposal. Our frustration with the rule and the process used to create it has led us to [sue to block the new rule].
Our arguments in court are twofold and are simple. First, under Minnesota’s Administrative Procedures Act, one agency cannot write the rules for another agency. In this case, California Air Resources Board is writing the rules for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Our second argument is that under the Federal Clean Air Act, Minnesota does not qualify to be a part of the California program. Federal law only allows states that have identified geographic areas of non-attainment of clean air standards for greenhouse gasses to qualify for the California Rules. … CARB writes rules aimed at cleaning up their state’s air quality problems, a problem Minnesota simply does not have.
For the full story in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, click here.
Scott Lambert (lambert@mada.org) is the president of the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of its 365 franchised new-car and -truck dealer members.
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