The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has scheduled a virtual public hearing on Delaware adopting California vehicle standards that would limit sales to hybrid and all-electric vehicles.
DNREC’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) will conduct a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, April 26, beginning at 6 p.m. to consider comments from the public on the proposed amendments.
The purpose of the amendments is to update the adoption by reference of California’s Advance Clean Car II (ACC II) low-emission vehicle and greenhouse gas standards and add the requirements for zero-emitting vehicles for the model year 2027 and beyond.
The ACC II regulations will reduce criteria and greenhouse gas emissions from new light- and medium-duty vehicles beyond the 2025 model year and add the new requirements for zero-emission vehicles, a DNREC release stated.
The California standards were adopted in 2010 and went into effect for the model year 2014. Since the original adoption California has made changes necessary for automobile manufacturers to comply. Section 177 of the Clean Air Act requires that Delaware standards must be “identical to the California standards.”
The proposed standards have been fiercely opposed by GOP legislators and the state Republican Party, which has scheduled town hall meetings in the state’s three counties. The Delaware Sierra Club scheduled an online update on Monday night.
In a release, Monday, the Senate Republican caucus said it is not against all-electric vehicles. “What we do oppose, however, is the executive branch of our government forcing this upon you and ignoring the opinions of the overwhelming majority of Delawareans.”
Recent surveys have indicated a substantial majority of residents are opposed to the mandate, which would also require a set percentage of hybrids and electric vehicles on dealer lots beginning in 2027. Electric vehicle sales have grown rapidly in Delaware, with the state ranking 40th among the 50 states in EV registrations.
Supporters argue that the mandate is needed to cut greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change. They also cite improvements to public health from less pollution.
The proposed amendments to the regulation may be inspected online starting April 1 at regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml, Air Quality’s Regulatory Development website, dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air/permitting/under-development/, or by contacting Kyle Krall by phone at 302-739-9402 or by email at: kyle.krall@delaware.gov.
The web link to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearings site at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a passcode, please use: 693764. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-646-931-3860 and enter the meeting ID: 963 6971 8957. Closed-captioning is available by request if made at least 7 days before the event.
Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC public hearings must pre-register no later than noon of the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9295.
The Department will accept public comment through Thursday May 26, 2023.
Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following:
Theresa Newman, Hearing Officer
DNREC — Office of the Secretary
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901
