Feenstra Renews Call for COST Act After Biden Signs Executive Order Mandating Zero-Emission Government Vehicle Fleet

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- On Wednesday, President Biden signed an executive order that bars federal agencies from buying liquid fuel vehicles by 2035, including a transition to all electric vehicles for government-owned passenger cars by 2027. Following the signing of this executive order, Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) released the following statement renewing his call for Congress to pass his Comparison of Sustainable Transportation (COST) Act:

“President Biden’s obsession with electric vehicles isn’t based on facts. Producing batteries for these vehicles, on top of the coal-generated power needed to charge them, requires a significant amount of money, energy, and nonrenewable resources. This is a rhetoric-driven decision that completely ignores the positive role biofuels play in reducing costs and emissions.

“In light of this announcement, Congress should immediately consider my COST Act to compare the full financial and environmental impact of choosing electric vehicles over E85 flex-fuel vehicles. Simply put, the Biden administration should not be so quick to jump to electric vehicles when E85 flex-fuel could provide an even cheaper and cleaner option.”

Biden’s executive order comes after the administration dealt a serious blow to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which Feenstra referred to as the “absolute height of hypocrisy” given the administration’s focus on climate change and gas prices.

The COST Act directs the Comptroller General and the Secretary of Energy to compare the financial and environmental costs of replacing federal government gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles or E85 capable flex-fuel vehicles. The bill then requires the Secretary of Energy to report findings to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Seven-State Electric Vehicle Highway Unveiled at Energy Summit

Source: National Governors Association

Denver, CO - October 10, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, plus representatives from more than 30 states, gathered for the first meeting of National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval’s initiative, Ahead of the Curve: Innovation Governors. The meeting specifically focused on energy innovation at the state level.

At the meeting, Gov. Hickenlooper announced that seven states—Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—will be working together to create the Regional Electric Vehicle (REV) Plan for the West, an electric vehicle corridor.

“I am honored to host such a diverse group of state officials focused on energy innovation,” Gov. Hickenlooper said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the West to create world-class infrastructure for electric vehicles as we look to the future of transportation.”

Gov. Sandoval, who was unable to attend the meeting due to the mass shooting in his state just days before, said, “As chair of the National Governors Association, I am pleased to announce the REV plan in the West with governors from both sides of the political spectrum. The plan shines a spotlight on how governors across the country are implementing innovative policies for the people of their states.”

In January, Gov. Sandoval will host the next meeting related to his initiative focused on transportation innovation in Las Vegas.

To learn more about the REV plan, click here.

To learn more about Ahead of the Curve, click here.

To learn more about the NGA Center for Best Practices Environment, Energy and Transportation Division, click here.