PRINTER'S NO. 684
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.82
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, GIRAL AND CERRATO,
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the feasibility of establishing a low-emission and
zero-emission vehicle program in this Commonwealth and to
issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the
Governor and the General Assembly.
WHEREAS, In 2020, Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada, directed
the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection to develop and
adopt a process that would provide for the establishment of low-
emission and zero-emission vehicle requirements for automakers;
and
WHEREAS, The initiative, known as Clean Cars Nevada, was
developed as a means of providing residents of Nevada with a
greater number of choices when considering the purchase of low-
emission and zero-emission vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Clean Cars Nevada has been touted as being critical
to advancing a healthy, resilient and climate-friendly future;
and
WHEREAS, Under Clean Cars Nevada, low-emission vehicle
standards require that automakers provide new vehicle models
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19 that emit fewer greenhouse gases and other air pollutants; and
WHEREAS, Under this initiative, automakers can implement
cost-effective technologies for gasoline-powered vehicles such
as improvements to engines and transmissions and the use of
light-weight materials in vehicle production; and
WHEREAS, Clean Cars Nevada, the zero-emission vehicle
program, ensures that automakers annually deliver more vehicles
for sale in Nevada that achieve zero emissions by being
partially or fully electric thus providing consumers with
greater vehicle purchasing options; and
WHEREAS, In addition to Nevada, 13 other states have adopted
a zero-emission vehicle program, which has increased the
availability of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle models at
dealerships; and
WHEREAS, Fossil fuel-powered vehicles emit many health-
threatening pollutants, such as benzene, carbon monoxide,
formaldehyde, organic compounds and nitrogen oxide; and
WHEREAS, These pollutants and particulate matter are
collectively linked to many adverse health effects such as
aggravated asthma, damage to the immune system, decreased lung
function, increased risk of cancer, inflammation of airways, as
well as developmental, neurological and reproductive health
issues; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the increased health benefits of low-
emission and zero-emission vehicles, a recent study found that,
if purchased, the average consumer could expect to save up to
$12,000 over the lifetime of the vehicles; and
WHEREAS, For those who finance the purchase of a low-emission
or zero-emission vehicle, monthly expenditures for a typical
six-year loan would be significantly lower; and
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30 WHEREAS, The increased deployment of low-emission and zero-
emission vehicles would attract investments in charging
infrastructure thus creating additional jobs relative to the
installation and operation of charging stations and equipment;
and
WHEREAS, Under Clean Cars Nevada, it was determined that
cleaner, more efficient vehicles would appeal to both urban and
rural drivers as both would experience significant savings on
fuel; and
WHEREAS, Since lower-income families tend to spend a larger
portion of their incomes on gasoline as compared to families
with higher incomes, the reduced costs of fuel would likely have
a greater benefit on those with lower incomes; and
WHEREAS, Families with lower incomes disproportionately buy
used vehicles, so the adoption of a low-emission and zero-
emission vehicle program would likely increase the demand for
these vehicles within the used vehicle market; and
WHEREAS, Used vehicle buyers would also benefit from the same
fuel savings and reduced costs as new vehicle buyers, while
avoiding many of the up-front costs associated with improvements
in technology that are typically passed on to purchasers of new
vehicles; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on the
feasibility of establishing a low-emission and zero-emission
vehicle program in this Commonwealth and to issue a report of
its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General
Assembly; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study do the following:
(1) identify and examine efforts, procedures, measures,
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30 statutes and management responsibilities of State agencies,
nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions to
assist in determining the feasibility of establishing a
Statewide low-emission and zero-emission vehicle program;
(2) conduct an economic impact analysis regarding the
widespread use of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles in
this Commonwealth;
(3) identify best practices in regard to developing the
necessary infrastructure to support the widespread use of
low-emission and zero-emission vehicles in this Commonwealth;
and
(4) identify financial mechanisms and options for
funding the development of a Statewide low-emission and zero-
emission vehicle program and related infrastructure in this
Commonwealth;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission consult
with organizations that:
(1) have organizational missions and expertise regarding
air quality, auto manufacturing, the economy, the
environment, health and safety, transportation and both rural
and urban affairs;
(2) collect data on the benefits that low-emission and
zero-emission vehicles may have in regard to air quality,
auto manufacturing, the economy, the environment, health and
safety, transportation and both rural and urban affairs; and
(3) have knowledge of relevant issues;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
authorized to consult with states and other organizations that
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30 have knowledge of relevant issues; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of its findings and recommendations and submit the report
to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than 18 months
after the adoption of this resolution.
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