California has withdrawn its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives, caving to pressure from the incoming Trump administration. The state cited uncertainty surrounding the new administration's stance on environmental regulations as the reason for the decision.
California has decided to withdraw its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives. This comes as the incoming Trump administration is unlikely to allow the state to implement these rules. State officials had long considered these regulations essential to cleaning up California 's severe air pollution and combating climate change. President-elect Donald J.
Trump has threatened to revoke or challenge all zero-emission vehicle rules and California's other clean-air standards. By withdrawing its requests for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval, the Newsom administration is signaling a dramatic step back as the state recalibrates in anticipation of the new Trump era.The diesel truck rule, which would have phased out diesel trucks, was one of the most far-reaching and controversial rules that California has enacted in recent years to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. It would have ended the sale of new fossil-fuel trucks in 2036 and required large trucking companies to convert their medium and heavy-duty fleets to electric or hydrogen models by 2042. After years of analysis, public hearings and discussions with industries and experts, it would have ended diesel's stronghold on goods movement in the state, with potentially profound effects on the state's environment and economy. Trucking companies had already sued the state to stop the rule, saying electric and hydrogen big rigs are not practical for many uses and that it would destroy the state's economy. Diesel exhaust has been linked to cancer and contains fine particles that can trigger asthma and heart attacks as well as gases that form smog.Under the locomotive rule, only locomotives less than 23 years old would have been allowed in California, unless they were zero emissions. The rule also limited how long they could idle. People living in communities with trains and rail yards have long complained that the emissions are making them sick. Under the Clean Air Act, Congress more than a half-century ago granted California the unique ability to set its own standards regulating vehicle emissions because of its severe smog. But the federal EPA must grant California a waiver to implement them. For decades, the EPA has granted California waivers to set its own ambitious, technology-forcing standards for cars, trucks and other sources. Only one waiver was initially denied — a 2008 rule setting greenhouse gas emission standards for cars — and that decision was eventually overturned by the courts. California air-quality officials have been waiting for years for the Biden administration’s EPA to approve the last four rules, hoping that time wouldn’t run out. But the EPA failed to act in time. The California Air Resources Board is assessing its options to continue its progress as part of its commitment to move forward the important work of improving the state’s air quality and reducing harmful pollutants that contribute to poor health outcomes and worsen climate change. It’s clear that the public health, air quality, and climate challenges that California faces require urgent action. We are ready and committed to continuing the important work of building a clean air future.
California Diesel Trucks Locomotive Emissions Trump Administration Environmental Regulations Clean Air Act
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