The Environmental Protection Agency has reinstated California’s authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own greenhouse gas emission standards and zero emission vehicle sales mandate the Trump administration sought to cancel.
The Biden administration moved to overturn Trump’s effort in the name of “one national standard” as soon as it took office in January 2021, fulfilling a promise it had made to officials in California.
This action concludes the EPA’s reconsideration of 2019’s Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program Rule. The agency found the actions under the previous administration as a part of SAFE-1 were taken in error and rescinded them.
“Today we proudly reaffirm California’s longstanding authority to lead in addressing pollution from cars and trucks,” said EPA administrator Michael Regan.
“Our partnership with states to confront the climate crisis has never been more important. With today’s action, we reinstate an approach that for years has helped advance clean technologies and cut air pollution for people not just in California, but for the U.S. as a whole.”
California plays big role in making rules
California has had an outsize role in shaping automotive emissions controls, frequently over the strenuous objections of automakers, dating back to the 1950s when smog was identified as a threat to public health in Southern California’s unique climate. The first federal legislation was an outgrowth of the battle against California smog.
With this week’s action, EPA is also withdrawing the SAFE-1 interpretation of the Clean Air Act that would prohibit other states from adopting the California GHG emission standards. As a result, other states may choose to adopt and enforce California’s GHG emission standards in lieu of the Federal standards, consistent with section 177 of the Clean Air Act, the EPA said in a statement.
In 2019, the Trump administration revoked California long-standing ability to set its own vehicle standards and argued that having one standard for the whole country provided more certainty for the automotive industry.
At that time, the industry was divided, with some automakers, led by General Motors and Toyota, in litigation and with Honda, Ford, Volkswagen and BMW, siding with California to undercut Trump administration’s rollback of clean air and clean-car standards.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement, “I thank the Biden administration for righting the reckless wrongs of the Trump administration and recognizing our decades-old authority to protect Californians and our planet.
“The restoration of our state’s Clean Air Act waiver is a major victory for the environment, our economy, and the health of families across the country that comes at a pivotal moment underscoring the need to end our reliance on fossil fuels.”