The Domestic Oil Producers Alliance (DEPA), an organization CIPA partners with on federal advocacy, issued a press release last week highlighting a letter they released to Congress opposing modifying the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
Specifically, the letter emphasizes that independent producers are threatened by overreach by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty Vehicles. It is industry’s belief that this rulemaking is beyond EPA’s authority.
While independent oil producers are not opposed to electric vehicles and other forms of transportation energy, the EPA overstepping its authority is a major concern for producers. The letter highlights that this regulation, under the guise of tailpipe emissions standards, is a de facto mandate that forces a transition in the motor vehicle market to align with the ideological preferences of the current administration.
CIPA CEO Rock Zierman currently serves as Vice President of DEPA, helping to provide leadership to the organization established by Continental Resources founder Harold Hamm.
Jerry Simmons, DEPA President and CEO stated, "This EPA rulemaking is an unprecedented overreach that threatens to upend the automotive market and impose significant burdens on American consumers. Congress never intended for the EPA to dictate the types of vehicles Americans can buy. This is not about reducing emissions; it's about forcing a one-size-fits-all solution on the American people. We strongly urge Congress to disapprove this rule under the CRA to protect consumer choice and uphold the rule of law."
The letter argues that the EPA’s actions are contrary to longstanding administrative practices and recent Supreme Court precedent, which clearly limits the agency's authority. The rule's intent, as openly stated by the EPA, is to force a market shift towards electric vehicles, rather than focusing on reducing pollution from existing vehicle types.
DEPA, along with its co-signatories and supporting organizations like CIPA, believe that a positive CRA decision is crucial to ensuring that consumers are protected from this overreach today, rather than waiting for years of litigation to potentially reverse the EPA’s actions.
CIPA continues to work closely with DEPA and other key organizations, like the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).