Monday 30 Dec
California has secured approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for two requests to impose stricter vehicle emission standards. This includes a law aiming to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2035. However, there is a possibility that the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump could overturn these approvals.
It's worth noting that California's regulations on carbon emissions are more stringent than the federal regulations imposed earlier this year. The federal regulations raised emission standards but did not ban the sale of traditional vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan
stated that California has long-standing authority to seek EPA permission to
impose stricter regulations aimed at protecting its residents from pollution
caused by transportation from cars and trucks. He added that this decision
reflects the EPA's commitment to working with states to reduce emissions and
address the threat of climate change, according to the German News Agency.
The EPA's decision is a significant step not only for California but also for more than 10 other US states that adopt its pioneering standards on vehicle emissions nationwide.
However, the EPA's approval is expected to be short-lived. President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to revoke all waivers granted to California to implement stricter regulations on emissions and pollution, as part of his policy supporting the industrial sector. This policy includes promoting the production of fossil fuels and modifying key parts of the new 2022 climate law.
