House Votes to Eliminate California’s Clean Truck Emission Standards

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Trucks on a highway showcasing the push for cleaner emissions standards in California.

News Summary

The House of Representatives voted to eliminate California’s clean truck emission standards, challenging recent findings from the Government Accountability Office. The decision was made using the Congressional Review Act, resulting in the approval of two measures aimed at electric trucks and limiting nitrogen oxide emissions. Critics claim this action violates congressional norms, while supporters argue it eases burdens on the trucking industry. This legislative move reflects ongoing tensions over state versus federal authority in regulating greenhouse gas emissions.

California – The House of Representatives has voted to eliminate California’s clean truck emission standards, a move that contradicts a recent report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO). The decision to reverse the Biden administration’s approval of regulations aimed at reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from trucks was made through the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which requires only a simple majority in both chambers and presidential approval, thus circumventing a 60-vote filibuster threshold in the Senate.

Two significant measures were passed during the vote. The first measure, which focuses on increasing the number of electric trucks, was approved with a vote of 231 to 191. The second measure, aimed at limiting nitrogen oxide emissions, passed 225 to 196. Thirteen Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the first resolution, while ten did so for the second. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania was the sole Republican to oppose both measures.

According to the GAO, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of California’s rules is classified as a waiver and not a regulation. This distinction means the CRA is not applicable, raising questions about the legitimacy of the House’s recent actions. Rachel Weintraub, executive director of the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards, described the House’s move as a violation of congressional norms and unprecedented in nature.

Republican representatives hailed the vote as a necessary action, arguing that California’s regulations would impose undue burdens on the trucking industry and lead to higher costs for consumers. Rep. John James from Michigan sponsored one of the resolutions, emphasizing the need to roll back California’s stringent regulations.

The Senate is expected to address similar challenges, although they face the same GAO conclusions regarding the waivers not falling under the jurisdiction of the CRA. If these resolutions are enacted into law, a legal challenge is anticipated, with experts indicating that this situation could lead to uncharted legal territory.

Initially, the House planned to vote on a phaseout of gas-powered vehicles in California but postponed that discussion. California’s unique position in setting vehicle pollution standards comes from a provision in the Clean Air Act, which allows states to implement stricter regulations due to historical air quality challenges.

With more than 10% of the U.S. population residing in California, the state’s emissions regulations have significant implications for the broader automotive and trucking markets. Additionally, other states often adopt California’s clean air regulations, amplifying their influence across the country.

The vote to overturn California’s clean truck rules comes shortly after major companies like Volvo and Mack Trucks declared their intent to comply with California’s recent diesel engine standards. In response, the American Trucking Associations has criticized the state’s authority to dictate emissions policies, asserting that it undermines national regulatory frameworks.

California’s stringent pollution regulations have reportedly increased costs for trucking companies and hindered their ability to acquire new vehicles. In the U.S. Senate, bills are currently being proposed to amend the Clean Air Act, aiming to prevent California from continuing to adopt stricter emissions standards. One notable bill, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, seeks to limit the EPA’s authority to grant exemptions that permit states to enforce more rigorous regulations. Another proposal, the Stop CARB Act, seeks to revoke California’s exemptions under the Clean Air Act and nullify existing waivers.

This legislative maneuvering reflects a broader debate over state versus federal authority in regulating greenhouse gas emissions and will likely continue to evolve as the Senate takes action in response to the House’s recent vote.