Biden restores California's ability to set stricter auto pollution rules
Traffic moves along Interstate 80 in Berkeley, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday restored California's legal authority to set tailpipe emissions standards that are stricter than the federal rules.
Why it matters: The move restores California's status as a climate regulator after former President Trump stripped the state of that power when he was in office. The EPA has long signaled its intent to reverse the rollbacks.
- California is the largest auto market in the U.S., and transportation is the country's largest source of carbon dioxide, writes Axios' Ben Geman.
The big picture: The reversal of the Trump-era policies has been part of President Biden's pledge to tackle the climate crisis.
- “Today we proudly reaffirm California’s longstanding authority to lead in addressing pollution from cars and trucks,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a news release.
- "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," he added.
The administration earlier this week unveiled additional measures it is taking to advance cleaner transit, including new limits on smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty vehicles
What they're saying: “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,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said in a news release.
- “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," he added.