Trump Administration’s Aggressive Support of Fossil Fuels Endanger California’s Progress on Clean Air
In letters to California Air Resources Board, groups led by Public Citizen argue for a bold response from state
WASHINGTON — As the Trump administration moves forward with efforts to revoke vehicle emissions waivers and dismantle key electric vehicle tax credits, public officials in California must work to protect the progress the state has made toward better air quality, public health, and equitable access to clean transportation, according to two letters sent today to the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
“In this crucial moment of federal backsliding on climate progress, we’re calling on CARB to stand strong and continue to lead the nation in protecting people’s right to clean air and support people’s access to clean vehicles,“ said Will Anderson, senior EV policy advocate with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “California’s leadership under the Clean Air Act has driven national progress for decades. Now, in the face of an administration actively dismantling clean car standards and climate investments, California must double down—codifying its clean vehicle rules, electrifying public and private fleets, and ensuring equitable access to clean transportation is at the center of its transition.”
In the letters, groups including Public Citizen call on the California Air Resources Board to enact state policies that uphold its authority and accelerate adoption of zero emission vehicles (ZEV) across the state. The recommendations include:
- Strengthening California’s ZEV rules
- Mandating fleet vehicles transition to zero emissions
- Building and incentivizing equitable access to charging infrastructure
- Positioning the state as a leader in the effort to decarbonize steel and battery supply chains
- Ensuring California enforces strong labor and human rights standards across EV supply chains
- Implementing legal defense strategies that will protect these policies from federal attack
“California can continue to be a climate visionary by leading on not only EV adoption but also taking concrete steps to address the emissions associated with clean vehicle supply chains while creating good jobs in the state,” said Abhilasha Bhola, auto supply chain campaign director with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “California can and must send clear signals to the steel industry, battery manufacturers, and other companies operating in the vehicle supply chain that decreasing emissions is essential to continuing to be competitive in the largest car market in the United States.”
After repeated assaults on these policies by the federal government, California filed a lawsuit in June alleging President Trump signed illegal resolutions targeting California’s clean vehicles program. The lawsuit argues the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have illegally attempted to use the Congressional Review Act in an attempt to revoke California’s Clean Air Act waivers, which for decades have authorized California’s clean cars and trucks program.
# # #