OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Wisconsin Assembly has approved a pair of bills that would prevent state and local bans of gas-powered cars and appliances.
The bills’ GOP sponsors hope to outlaw measures similar to a law passed in California last year, requiring all new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state to run on electricity or hydrogen by 2035.
But some are criticizing the bills, calling them irrelevant.
The legislation passed Tuesday would prevent Wisconsin’s state and local governments from enacting zero-emission mandates, which would phase out gas-powered vehicles, lawnmowers, ovens and other machines in favor of those powered by electricity.
“Personally, I just bought a new gas powered vehicle a few years ago so I have no interest in going electric right now,” said State Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee.
State Rep. Sinicki is calling the bills unnecessary.
“It’s something that probably will come to be in the next 20 years or so, but we’re not anywhere near an EV revolution as they’re calling it,” said Rep. Sinicki.
State Rep. Ellen Schutt, R-Clinton, who co-authored the bills, says they protect consumer choice.
In a statement, she says, “Many cities in Wisconsin have clean energy goals and the Governor has proposed his own clean energy goal for the state. We do not want the state or any city to ban a powered device or vehicle to complete their clean energy goals. Government at any level has no place to mandate what type of vehicle or device a person uses.”
“Before we can even consider, people can consider, going electric, we have to make sure we have the infrastructure in place and that’s going to take years,” said State Rep. Sinicki.
With electric vehicles becoming more popular, counties across Wisconsin must adapt for electric vehicle infrastructure.
Outagamie County has partnered with the Energy Analysis and Policy graduate certificate at UW–Madison to create a report that will guide county officials as they aim to support electric vehicles.
“We’re looking at, hey this is a trend that’s already happening with electric vehicles, how can we be ready? And so, that’s the important thing is really this sort of transition is happening already,” said Scott Williams, EAP certificate coordinator.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, a former Democratic state lawmaker, believes this is nothing more than the legislature trying to micromanage local government.
“No one is talking about this issue right now, it seems like it has more to do with politics than everything else,” said Nelson.
The measures still need approval from the Senate and from Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who is likely to veto them.
At an event in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Evers said he didn’t believe a ban on gas engines was necessary for the state to slowly transition to using electric vehicles.
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