Central Montana Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines criticized the Biden administration's climate-driven mandates during a press conference, stating, “That’s Not Really How It Works, Mr. President.”

Daines expressed his concerns about the administration's push for electric vehicles and heavy-duty trucks, highlighting the impracticality of mandating their use. He emphasized his support for electric vehicles as technology but criticized the government's imposition of mandates, stating, “I don’t have a problem with electric vehicles. Amazing technology. My problem is when the government forces us through mandates to have to drive them."

The Senator pointed out the discrepancies in the administration's approach, citing examples such as the allocation of funds for EV chargers at the southern border amidst a border crisis and the EPA's rule limiting tailpipe emissions to push for EV production. Daines raised issues with the suitability of EVs for states like Montana, mentioning challenges like long distances, freezing temperatures, and 'range anxiety.'

Furthermore, Daines addressed the implications of forcing semitrucks to transition to electric vehicles, highlighting concerns about range, charging times, grid capacity, and cost. He argued that such mandates would burden truckers, increase costs for consumers, and compromise load safety.

In conclusion, Senator Daines called on the Biden administration and Democrats to reconsider their climate policies, urging them to "abandon their climate fantasy and to get real."