The US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday signed off on two major California clean air laws designed to reduce pollution from cars and trucks, including a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles statewide by 2035.
Under the Clean Air Act, California has the ability to adopt stricter vehicle emissions requirements than the federal government. But the state must seek a waiver from the EPA.
The EPA has granted two waivers to two regulations approved by the California Air Resources Board:
- The Advanced Clean Cars II Act, passed in 2022, requires an increasing percentage of new vehicles sold by California auto dealerships to be zero-emission or plug-in hybrids. This law ends by banning the sale of new cars that run on gasoline in 2035. It is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.
- The Heavy-Duty Omnibus Act, adopted in 2020, establishes clean engine standards and requires warranties for new heavy-duty vehicles. It is scheduled to start operating this year.
The EPA's action allows the state to implement the rules, which are expected to collectively prevent 3,700 premature deaths and provide $36 billion in public health benefits, state officials said.
“California has long-standing authority to request EPA waivers to protect its citizens from harmful air pollution from portable sources such as cars and trucks,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Today's actions follow EPA's commitment to working with states to reduce emissions and address the threat of climate change.”
Environmental groups applauded the EPA's decision, which will help California tackle its biggest source of pollution and greenhouse gases – the transportation sector.
“This may sound like checking a legal box, but EPA approval is an important step in protecting our lungs from pollution and our wallets from the cost of fossil fuels,” said Paul Cort, director of Earthjustice's Right to Zero campaign. “A gradual shift in vehicle sales to zero-emission models will reduce emissions and household costs while increasing clean energy in California. The EPA must now approve the remaining permit applications from California to allow the state to clean up its air and protect its residents.”
California will join 27 countries in the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, that have adopted policies banning the sale of new gasoline vehicles by 2035 or sooner.
Passing the rules before President-elect Donald Trump's arrival at the White House makes it more difficult for the incoming Trump administration and other opponents to attack them, experts say.
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