Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that requires all vehicles in the Golden State to be zero emissions by 2035. Essentially, Newsom’s directive bans gas-powered vehicles in the state over the next 15 years. However, according to The Hill, EPA head Andrew Wheeler sent a letter to the governor today reminding Newsom California no longer has the power to issue such rules:

“Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler wrote to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Monday, saying he believes California would need to request a waiver from his agency for the order to be implemented and implying that the state’s electricity infrastructure is insufficient for a shift toward electric vehicles.

“While the [executive order] seems to be mostly aspirational and on its own would accomplish very little, any attempt by the California Air Resources Board to implement sections of it may require California to request a waiver to U.S. EPA,” Wheeler wrote.

The EPA last year revoked a waiver that allowed California to set its own vehicle tailpipe emissions standards, so it appears unlikely that the agency would grant one on car sales under the current administration.”

Wheeler also stated that California Independent System Operator (CAISO) sought an emergency waiver from the EPA in order to maintain power generation for Golden State residents resulting from rolling blackouts. The EPA Chief also questioned Newsom’s logic since, in light of the blackouts, having a state where only electric cars are allowed doesn’t make sense due to California’s issues generating adequate power for the state’s energy needs.

In short, this was a well-deserved, blunt smack-down from the EPA’s head and, hopefully, Newsom is embarrassed enough to not try something like this again. However, it won’t stop him or California Democrats from trying something else since environmentalists dominate the Golden State’s politics and have state Democrats wrapped around their fingers.

This and Newsom’s COVID-19 orders are part of the Left’s efforts to destroy California’s Middle Class and, unfortunately, they are largely succeeding. However, the governor is still the subject of a recall effort that has recently gained momentum, and, hopefully, the campaign has achieved even more support because of his recent edict.