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Wisconsin Legislature set to protect access to gas

May 02, 2023May 02, 2023

By: Associated Press June 7, 20238:30 am

A customer prepares to pump gasoline into his car at a Sam's Club fuel island in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Wisconsin Legislature is poised to approve bills to protect access to gas-powered vehicles. The Republican-controlled Assembly passed the legislation in April and the Senate on Wednesday is expected to give final approval. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Legislature is expected to approve bills Wednesday that would protect access to gas-powered vehicles, snow blowers, lawnmowers and other machines.

The Republican-controlled Assembly passed the measures in April, with all Democrats objecting, and the Senate was expected to give final approval on Wednesday. It would then be up to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to sign the bills into law or veto them. He said in April that he didn't believe a ban on gas engines was necessary for the state to slowly transition to electric vehicles, suggesting he may not consider prohibiting such bans necessary either.

The bills seek to outlaw measures similar to a California statute passed last year that requires all new cars, trucks and SUVs sold in the state run on electricity or hydrogen by 2035. Democrats have said they had no plans to pursue a gas-engine ban in Wisconsin and accused the bill sponsors of fear-mongering.

The Senate was also expected to vote Wednesday on a bill that would prohibit state and local governments from restricting utility service based on the energy source, such as natural gas.

Republican proponents and other backers, like the state chamber of commerce and energy companies, said the measure was needed to prevent any type of ban in Wisconsin like those discussed in other states. The state of New York will begin prohibiting natural gas stoves and furnaces in most new buildings starting in 2026.

The Environmental group Wisconsin Conservation Voters told lawmakers last month that the measure "is at best a solution in search of a problem" given that no community in Wisconsin or the state itself is attempting to ban any type of fuel.

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Associated Press