In a move that can only be described as a political heavyweight clash, President Donald Trump has signed a series of resolutions that challenge California’s ambitious vehicle emissions regulations. Buckle up, because this is sure to ignite legal skirmishes as industry groups rally behind the effort to roll back emissions standards.
On June 12, Trump inked a package of resolutions aimed at dismantling California’s landmark emissions mandates, which many see as a cornerstone of the state’s environmental strategy.
These resolutions, previously passed by Congress under the Congressional Review Act, effectively halt California’s plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, relax nitrogen oxide regulations for heavy-duty trucks, and revoke an EPA waiver that allowed for stricter state-level emissions standards.
The signing ceremony, a veritable who’s who of administration officials including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, showcased support from various sectors—energy, trucking, and automotive alike. It seems everyone wants to be on the right side of history… or at least on the right side of the emissions debate.
Meanwhile, California is not sitting idle. The state is mulling over the introduction of zero-emission standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks, alongside stricter controls on nitrogen oxide emissions. This ongoing tussle between the federal government and California over environmental regulations is reminiscent of a long-standing tug-of-war, with both sides tugging at the rope of policy priorities.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is already gearing up for a legal battle, contending that these resolutions are illegal and could burden California taxpayers with an estimated $45 billion in additional healthcare costs. It appears that in this high-stakes game of policy poker, Newsom is not folding any time soon.
Interestingly, the legal landscape could complicate matters further. Questions loom regarding Congress’s authority to revoke state laws, as the Government Accountability Office has previously determined that the Congressional Review Act cannot be wielded against California’s emissions standards. Even the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, concurs with this interpretation.
California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule, which was reaffirmed by the Biden administration in 2023, mandates that 80 percent of new vehicles sold in the state must be battery-powered electric by 2035. This ambitious plan is echoed in 11 other states, collectively responsible for around a third of the U.S. auto market.
In a statement, General Motors (GM) expressed support for the resolution, suggesting it aligns emissions standards with current market realities. The automaker has been vocal about its desire for a unified national standard that would enable it to remain competitive while providing a range of vehicle options for consumers. This is particularly poignant given GM’s recent announcement of a $4 billion investment to boost production of gas-powered vehicles over the next two years.
Revoking California’s stringent emissions requirements might just throw a wrench into the already turbulent electric vehicle market. Recent estimates indicate that electric vehicle sales still account for less than 7 percent of new vehicle sales, a figure that may dwindle further as federal policies shift.
Reactions from the trucking and energy sectors have been overwhelmingly positive. Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute, hailed these actions as a significant win for consumers and energy security. Meanwhile, Chris Spear, president of the American Trucking Associations, labeled California’s policies as “crippling” and “detached from reality,” emphasizing that the U.S. is not just a state of California.
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