STATEMENT: U.S. EPA Grants California Waiver to Set Strong Tailpipe Pollution Rules for Passenger Cars and Trucks

Statement: U.S. EPA Grants California Waiver to Set Strong Tailpipe Pollution Rules for Passenger Cars and Trucks

Washington DC (December 18, 2024) - Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California the authority to enforce strong emissions rules for passenger cars and trucks.

California established a rule to phase out new polluting passenger vehicle sales and sell 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Eleven states and Washington D.C. followCalifornia's light-duty zero-emission vehicles rule.

Following is a statement from Dan Lashof, Senior Fellow, WRI United States:

"Curbing tailpipe emissions that cause asthma and other harms is not just good policy, it's common sense for anyone who cares about their children's health. The EPA's waiver will allow California and other states to continue reducing harmful pollution from passenger vehicles while supercharging the transition to a clean electric future.

"Transportation emissions continue to be the largest source of climate pollution in the United States. Any action by the next administration to restrict the power of states to enact stronger vehicle emissions standards will only result in more air pollution, higher health costs and premature deaths."