The Biden administration granted California permission to ban new gas vehicle sales by 2035.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved two waivers for the state. The waivers fall under the Clean Air Act.
“After reviewing the information provided by California, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited criteria for waiver review under the Clean Air Act, EPA determined in each case that it would be appropriate to grant both waiver requests,” a press release on the matter says. “The records, included in the waiver decisions, contain public comments on the programs’ feasibility, including costs to manufacturers and the lead time provided. EPA’s review found that opponents of the waivers did not meet their burden to show how either program is inconsistent with the Clean Air Act.”
One waiver permits California to mandate that 35% of new cars and light-duty trucks have zero emissions by 2026 and reach 90% below current emissions by 2027. The other waiver allows California officials to mandate that new car sales reach zero emissions within the decade.
“California has longstanding authority to request waivers from EPA to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution coming from mobile sources like cars and trucks,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to partner with states to reduce emissions and act on the threat of climate change.”
Karoline Leavitt, the incoming White House press secretary, told Fox News that the Trump administration may revoke the waivers. “Fresh off imposing his insane, job-killing electric vehicle mandate at the federal level, Crooked Joe Biden is preparing to slaughter the remnants of the U.S. auto-industry by approving California’s waiver request outlawing the sale of all gasoline-powered automobiles,” she said.
