PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — The Environmental Protection Agency is considering new clean car standards, but Arizona lawmakers and advocates called on Tuesday for the feds to stick to the original plan.
Some reports say the EPA may delay or weaken regulations.
The lobbyists say new clean car standards would be good for Arizona’s economy and the health of Arizona families. They’re encouraging the EPA to finalize the rules by the end of the month and to stick to the strong standards they originally proposed.
Those were to cut greenhouse gas by 50% by 2030 and have net zero emissions by 2050.
The preliminary standards were announced last spring and had the EPA tightening emissions standards starting in 2027.
The agency and automakers expected it’ll be a big boost for the pivot to electric vehicles.
But some car companies and the United Auto Workers union are fighting the new standards, saying they are too strict, too soon. They claim electronic vehicle technology isn’t where it needs to be yet.
There’s word the Biden Administration is now considering weakening the standards or delaying the deadlines.
Arizona advocates say that would be the wrong call. They say encouraging more people to shift to EVs is good for the state, and the EPA needs to stick to the plan.
“Transitioning to clean cars isn’t just an environmental imperative, it’s an economic opportunity that will benefit all Arizonans,” said state Sen. Juan Mendez, a Democrat from Tempe.
“These stronger federal standards would significantly reduce air pollution, reducing the fine particles in the air that wreak havoc on our health,” said Paloma Greenwald with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.
LG is building a multi-billion dollar battery plant in Queen Creek, and American Battery Factor is bringing a new plant and headquarters to Tucson.
While the new EPA rules wouldn’t require companies to make electric vehicles, their emissions ratings come from averaging pollutants for all their models. So, zero-emission EVs would be the easiest way to meet the new standards.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
The 2026 Arizona Legacy Races in Buckeye, Ariz., are ringing in a new year for futurity horses December 30 – January 6, at the Buckeye Equestrian & Events Center. Formerly known as the MVP Futurity and Greg Olson Futurity, these two races have been a staple in many professional trainers’ schedules for decades. This year, the two events boast $22,000 in added money.
Linzie Lindsey and Fame Dancin Yola claimed the Round 1 win with a 17.577 for $1,959. Barbara Merrill rode TKW Eye Am Tess to the 2D win.
After finishing out of the 1D money in Round 1, Loralee Ward and Dark Honey ran the fastest time of the futurity with a 17.030 to claim the Round 2 win. The duo also earned the Futurity Reserve Championship for $1,652.
Lindsey and Fame Dancin Yola finished second in Round 2 with a 17.164, adding $1,603 to their futurity earnings and claiming the Futurity Championship for another $2,019.
Jenna Duhon and PMC AintSheBeautiful earned the Round 2 2D win. In the 2D Average, it was Estella Martin and Quanahs Kingdom claiming the win.
Round 1 of a very tough Derby went to Jana Bean and Feature This Goodbye with a 17.268. 2025 futurity standout Blissful Version and Lora Nichols finished second in Round 1 with a 17.282, won Round 2 with a 17.032, and claimed the Average win.
“Buddy” and Nichols were in contention for the highest money-earning futurity horse of the previous season, before the cancellation of the last two major events of the season due to EHV-1. By $7 million sire Winners Version, Buddy banked over $300,000 in his futurity year.
Megan McLeod-Sprague and Seis Corona (“Jagger”) were hot off the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. The duo won the Roohide Hot Rod with a 17.004 for $1,368. They also earned the Friday Open 1D win for $1,083.
With the first 16-second run of the weekend, Sherry Cervi and MP Meter My Fame won the Saturday Open 1D with a 16.969.
Rita Cheeney and HP Dash Ta Fairfax ran the only other sub-17-second run of the weekend, with a 16.996 that took the top spot in Sunday’s Open 1D.
Nichols and Buddy doubled down on their derby earnings, placing deep in the Open 1D both days, as well as the Roohide Hot Rod, and Big Time Boss.
Youth competitor Tabitha Dyal also had an outstanding weekend, earning Open 1D money Friday, Saturday, and Sunday aboard Slym Shady. She swept the Youth 1D on Slym Shady and earned Open 1D, Open 2D, and Youth 1D checks on Promise Me Fame Guys and Smooth Operraider. Dyal wrapped up her weekend with several checks in the Big Time Boss.
Authorities say a prominent California agriculture heir is accused of traveling to Arizona to kill his estranged wife amid a bitter divorce, a case now drawing national attention for its cross-state trail and high-profile ties.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today’s Digital Pregame Show presented by Little Caesars, J.B Long, D’Marco Farr, and Maurice Jones-Drew preview the Los Angeles Rams’ Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. The trio discuss key players to watch, game predictions, and more. Tune in for kickoff at 1:25pm PT on FOX.
Hamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
Google is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
Indianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
Two attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
Roads could remain slick, icy Saturday morning in Philadelphia area, tracking another storm on the way
Most shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
Marijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time
Podcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
