California officials are withdrawing their final requests to enforce their nation-leading electric vehicle rules, days before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
State officials told U.S. EPA on Monday they wouldn’t seek federal permission to enforce their rules covering zero-emission trucks and trains, in anticipation of attacks by the Trump administration. Trump had used California’s strict pollution standards as a political punching bag during his reelection campaign, and vowed to roll them back once he takes office.
“Withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration that previously attacked California’s programs to protect public health and the climate and has said will continue to oppose those programs,” California Air Resource Board Chair Liane Randolph said in a statement Tuesday.
The regulations were California’s Advanced Clean Fleets program, which would’ve required operators to buy zero-emissions trucks, and the state’s In-Use Locomotive Regulation, which would’ve required railroads to cut emissions from diesel-powered engines.
Industry groups had sued California over both of its rules, which had been pending at EPA for more than a year. California requires permission to enforce its stricter-than-federal rules under the Clean Air Act through a waiver system that has been in place since the 1960s. Acting Administrator Jane Nishida responded to CARB on Tuesday that the agency “considers this matter closed.” Randolph said the agency was “disappointed” that EPA couldn’t act on all of the requests and is “assessing its options” to continue progress on improving the state’s air quality.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom made approval of the state’s clean air waivers a top priority in recent months, including on a November trip to Washington D.C. shortly after the election where he lobbied EPA officials to approve the full suite of waivers. A planned return trip was nixed last week as wildfires burned in Los Angeles.
Newsom spokesperson Daniel Villasenor said in a statement Tuesday that the governor “is 100% focused on the Los Angeles fires.”
“We’re grateful to the Biden Administration for approving our six requests and we’ll continue to fight for clean air and water for all,” he said.
The Trump transition team didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The CARB decision doesn’t affect other California regulations that are intended to tighten emissions from diesel-powered trucks and phase out fossil-fuel powered passenger car sales by the 2030s, which EPA approved in December.
The pair of rules could have saved more than $58 billion in health benefits like reduced heart attacks and asthma complications, according to a February report from the American Lung Association — more than four times the impact of the car mandate.
Environmental groups had expressed worry earlier this month that the rules might be in jeopardy at EPA. Industry groups have sued California over both of them and the lawsuits are still active.
The Association of American Railroads, which represents companies like BNSF Railway and Union Pacific, and had sued CARB over its locomotive rule in 2023, cheered the move.
“Railroads are pleased that the California Air Resources Board has withdrawn its authorization request for the ill-conceived in-use locomotive rule,” AAR spokesperson Jessica Kahanek said in a statement. “As we move past this untenable proposal, railroads look forward to advancing their already strong sustainability profile and further reducing emissions in the years to come.”