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UAW Wants The EPA To Relax Its Future Vehicle Emissions Regulations

Union Calls On Biden Administration To Lessen Its Proposed Vehicle Emissions Cuts...

The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has recently called on the Biden administration to revise its proposed vehicle emissions cuts, which mandate that 67% of new vehicles be electric by 2032. Representing workers at Detroit’s Big-3 automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler parent Stellantis), the UAW expressed concerns regarding the feasibility and potential disruption caused by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent standards.

Stellantis U.S. Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (MoparInsiders).

In a statement released ahead of contract talks with the Detroit Big-3 automakers, the UAW emphasized the need for the EPA to reassess the proposed regulations to “better reflect the feasibility of compliance” and ensure that the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) occurs at a more realistic pace over an extended period. The UAW acknowledged the dominant presence of light-duty trucks and SUVs in the current domestic auto assembly footprint, which contribute significantly to funding the EV transition. Approximately 60% of all vehicles produced by unionized automakers in the United States last year were pickups or SUVs.

“We fear the proposed standards are premature and risk disrupting the market that will make the EV transition possible,” expressed the UAW. The union called on the EPA to continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders to avoid disproportionate impacts on domestic union auto production.

The GM Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. (GM).

Notably, a group representing major automakers, including Detroit’s Big-3 automakers, also urged for a substantial softening of the EPA’s requirements. The collective voiced concerns that the EPA proposal was “neither reasonable nor achievable.” Toyota Motor joined the chorus, characterizing the stringency requirements as “extreme and outside historical norms.”

This latest development follows UAW President Shawn Fain’s recent criticism of the U.S. Energy Department’s plan to provide a $9.2 billion loan to a joint venture between Ford and South Korea’s SK On, for the construction of three battery plants in the United States. Fain referred to the loan as a “giveaway” that disregarded vital factors such as wages, working conditions, union rights, and retirement security, ultimately resulting in the creation of low-paying jobs. Fain further questioned the Biden administration’s facilitation of corporate greed with taxpayer money.

Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. (Ford).

In May, the UAW declined to endorse President Biden for reelection, citing concerns with his electric vehicle policies. The union’s ongoing engagement with emissions regulations and related matters reflects the UAW’s commitment to protect the interests of its members and ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable automotive industry.

As the UAW prepares to engage in contract negotiations with the Detroit automakers before the expiration of current four-year contracts in September, the union’s call for a reevaluation of the EPA’s proposed standards underscores the significance of finding a balanced approach that promotes environmental progress while safeguarding domestic union auto production and the livelihoods of American workers.

Source: Reuters and UAW

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has recently called on the Biden administration to revise its proposed vehicle emissions cuts, which mandate that 67% of new vehicles be electric by 2032. Representing workers at Detroit’s Big-3 automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler parent Stellantis), the UAW expressed concerns regarding the feasibility and potential disruption caused … (read full article...)

It's about time someone with a little clout says the timeliness won't work.

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It's about time someone with a little clout says the timeliness won't work.

Of course I mean time-line...

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Yes because UAW jobs will be lost when powertrain is common across manufactures. Also volume will go down.

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Yes because UAW jobs will be lost when powertrain is common across manufactures. Also volume will go down.

That might be true, after all one of the main purposes of a Union is to protect member jobs. The aside here is the total unattainable, unworkable and intellectually bankrupt policy being promoted by the current administration now in the strangle hold of environmental extremists. Europe is increasing facing this conclusion in its own environmental pipedream of tangled nonsense in its own backyard, walking away from their impossible environmental goals and the means to achieve them as fast as you can say nuclear power.
The unions can’t wait for the very predictable new administration taking over and scrapping these overreaching regulations, realizing that the damage now being done in chasing the ever more ridiculous and politicized clean energy goal posts of these radicals will do irreparable damage and waste billions in the process.
I believe clear thinkers no matter their political stripe are following the European lead and acting now before not only jobs are lost, but the entire automotive industry is sacrificed because courage is a rare commodity these days among the upper management types and the hard work is being left to Joe Lunchpail and his representatives. Unions have made their mistakes painfully in the past, but on this one they are the bright light dawning on a two and a half year nightmare misery of darkness and deception. Thank you UAW, your thinking is right this time. Very Right.

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click to expand...

I think it was Ronald Reagan who said, "Any government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take it all away."

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