Madison – Rep. Nik Rettinger (R-Mukwonago) co-authored and voted in favor of two bills prohibiting state and local governments in Wisconsin from banning the sales or use of products based on their energy source. California has banned the sale of new vehicles with gas-powered engines by 2035, and we could see that policy spread to other states in the years ahead. After passage, Rep. Rettinger issued the following statement:
“What cars and power equipment are available should be up to the market place and consumers, not the government to artificially limit. While advances in both technology and variety have grown the market share of electric or other alternative fueled options, traditional gasoline or diesel engines continue to dominate due to their stable performance. For example, it’s been recently demonstrated that battery life and performance in cold-weather states have led to dramatically limited “ranges” of electric cars. With the many wet heavy snows we’ve seen, I doubt that an electric snow blower would have handled clearing a driveway. This is not to say that these challenges will not be overcome
and aren’t being further researched, but that should be driven by the private sector and not bureaucrats.”
The Minnesota Legislature recently introduced two bills seeking to ban new sales of gas powered lawn and garden equipment, as well as ice-resurfacing machines, commonly known as Zambonis.
“I have cost concerns as an electric vehicle mandate would undoubtedly impact working families. High school and college students looking to afford their first vehicle, or even young professionals just starting out their careers, would find themselves priced out. Our electric grid is also woefully unequipped for the infrastructure and baseload energy production requirements to meet such a mandate. I choose to trust that consumers here in Wisconsin know which type of equipment best suits their needs and that the private sector will match that. I appreciate Rep. Schutt authoring these bills and congratulate her on having two bills pass the Assembly.”
The bills are now awaiting action by the Wisconsin State Senate.
