Trump's DOJ sues California over truck emissions enforcement

Catch up quick: Under the Biden administration, the Environmental Protection Agency granted California waivers from the Clean Air Act so the state could impose stringent emissions standards for heavy-trucks.

• Trump revoked the waivers in June, including one for a rule that would phase-out gasoline-powered cars over the next decade.
• The goal of the regulations, DOJ said, was to implement an EV mandate in California and in other states that adopt California's rules.

Driving the news: In two complaints this week in federal courts, DOJ argued that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) seeks to circumvent the law by enforcing the preempted emissions standards through its so-called "Clean Truck Partnership" with heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers.

What they're saying: "Agreement, contract, partnership, mandate — whatever California wants to call it, this unlawful action attempts to undermine federal law," Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of ENRD said in statement issued Friday.

• "President Donald Trump and Congress have invalidated the Clean Air Act waivers that were the basis for California's actions. CARB must respect the democratic process and stop enforcing unlawful standards."

Earlier this week, four major truckmakers, including Daimler and Volvo, also sued the state to block it from enforcing the stricter emissions rules Trump declared void in June.

The other side: CARB said it couldn't comment on pending litigation.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with response from CARB.