ESSENTIAL Act

This bill mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) take specific actions regarding engine idle start-stop technology. Within one year of enactment, both agencies are required to repeal or rescind any existing actions, initiatives, policies, or regulations that encourage, incentivize, promote, or require vehicle manufacturers to install this technology. Furthermore, they are prohibited from issuing any similar new policies in the future. An important exception to this mandate is that no action shall be repealed or rescinded if it would lead to an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. To ensure accountability, the EPA and DOT must jointly submit an initial report to Congress within 180 days, outlining their plan for compliance, and a final report within one year detailing how they carried out the repeal.