Rivian says vote no on Maryland HB 1556

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

So I was surprised to get this e-mail today from Rivian, asking Marylanders to contact their legislators about voting no on the HB 1556. It's a pretty straight forward bill (I looked up what it was on the Maryland website) and it basically prohibits the department of energy from penalizing those who "fail to meet any requirements under the California Advanced Clean Cars II Program or the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation for the model years 2027 and 2028" (directly from the Maryland website). I was just a bit surprised. Rivian doesn't seem to show that much interest in the mid-atlantic region. Anyone else get this email?

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[Electrified Outdoors]

I received it. I don't like auto makers getting involved in politics. Seems like something that should be left to the Rivian Clubs instead.

 

[BigSkies]

While I'm not in Maryland and don't know this bill, I do know the CARB standards are what will drive electrification more than anything.

Manufacturers NEED to have a solid EV product lineup as long as the CARB standards are in place. It doesn't mean that they'll sell only EV's, but it does mean their business is only viable with an EV product lineup.

I'm sure this will turn into a broader federal/state political fight over the next four years. But it is important to fight for at the state level if having good EV options is important to you.

 

[mmbmca]

Rivian needs to sell their carbon credits hence they are involved

 

[strykerwsu]

I received it. I don't like auto makers getting involved in politics. Seems like something that should be left to the Rivian Clubs instead.

Thats how business works in America. Almost all large corporations have PACs etc. This can be a huge deal to Rivian just like other bills may be a huge deal to another business so for business reasons they have to be involved.

 

[COdogman]

I’m glad Rivian is advocating for themselves. As long as they aren’t lying about the bill or making outrageous statements, they are not doing anything that any other corporation in this country wouldn’t do. And isn’t free to do.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I’d rather have a company advocate for politics than buy politicians.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

I do think it is pointless to set green standards or policies and expect everyone to follow them in good will. Most companies won't comply if it will cost them money and they get nothing in return. There either needs to be a penalty or a compelling reward to get compliance. Stopping the Department of Energy from enacting penalties for companies who don't meet any requirements (meaning they just have to meet at least one requirement to avoid penalty) means that the companies won't have to change.

Honestly, this is with any policy or law. If there isn't a consequence (good or bad), then it's more of a polite suggestion than an actual law.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Thats how business works in America. Almost all large corporations have PACs etc. This can be a huge deal to Rivian just like other bills may be a huge deal to another business so for business reasons they have to be involved.

Yeah makes sense. Im just tired of all the political stuff but I get why they are doing it and its an important issue for sure.

 

[DeafPug]

Living in Kansas, this doesn't directly have any impact on me, but I hate how laws and bills are presented. It took WAY TOO LONG to parse and understand that a No vote means penalties for violators and a Yes vote means NO penalties for violators. Ugh!!!

HB 1556 https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb1556

Witness List with Favorable/Unfavorable (ie: vote Yes/No) Position
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/WitnessSignup/HB1556?ys=2025RS

A (possibly biased) sample of who is for/against this legislation:

Vote Yes:
Maryland Automobile Dealers Assocation
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Motor Truck Association
WMDA - service station, convenience stores and repair facilities

Vote No:
Central Maryland Transportation Alliance
Maryland Sierra Club
Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
Union of Concerned Scientists

 

[socaladam]

California NEEDS to stick to California.

No state should be forced or coerced to adopt the lunatic standards CARB tries to push to the world.

 

[socaladam]

I’d rather have a company advocate for politics than buy politicians.

What’s the difference?

I’ll help you, there isn’t one. It’s all a matter of perception.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

What’s the difference?

I’ll help you, there isn’t one. It’s all a matter of perception.

There’s a difference, but both aren’t great.

 

[COdogman]

What’s the difference?

I’ll help you, there isn’t one. It’s all a matter of perception.

There is a difference. When a corporation focuses on donating money to influence politicians it bypasses the democratic process.

Sending information to voters about a bill that might affect the company’s ability to serve their customers still puts it in those voters’ hands to decide.

That difference is more than “perception”.

 

[socaladam]

There is a difference. When a corporation focuses on donating money to influence politicians it bypasses the democratic process.

Sending information to voters about a bill that might affect the company’s ability to serve their customers still puts it in those voters’ hands to decide.

That difference is more than “perception”.

Have you heard of lobbyists?

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