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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday approved two major California air quality rules intended to reduce pollution from cars and trucks, including a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars anywhere the State by 2035.
Under the Clean Air Act, California has the ability to adopt more stringent vehicle emissions requirements than the federal government. But the state must request 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 rule, adopted in 2022, requires an increasing percentage of new cars sold by California auto dealerships to be zero-emission or plug-in hybrids. The regulation will ultimately result in a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. It is expected to come into force in 2026.
- The Heavy-Duty Omnibus rule, adopted in 2020, sets cleaner engine standards and requires safeguards for new heavy-duty vehicles. Its entry into force is planned for this year.
The EPA’s action allows the state to enforce the rules, which are collectively expected to prevent more than 3,700 premature deaths and provide $36 billion in public health benefits, according to state officials.
“California has long had the authority to request waivers from the EPA to protect its residents from hazardous air pollution from mobile sources like cars and trucks,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan, in a press release. “Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to work with states to reduce emissions and take action on the threat of climate change.”
Environmental groups praised the EPA’s decision, which will help California combat its largest source of pollution and greenhouse gases: the transportation sector.
“It may sound like checking a bureaucratic box, but EPA approval is a crucial step in protecting our lungs from pollution and our wallets from combustion fuels spending,” said Paul Cort, director from Earthjustice’s Right to Zero campaign. “Gradually shifting car sales to zero-emission models will reduce smog and household costs while increasing California’s clean energy workforce. The EPA must now approve California’s remaining permit applications to allow the state to clean its air and protect its residents.
California will join 27 European Union countries, the United Kingdom and Canada, which have adopted policies banning the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 or earlier.
Authorizing these rules before President-elect Donald Trump arrives in the White House makes it harder for the incoming Trump administration and other opponents to attack them, experts say.