California has paused its efforts to reduce pollution from diesel-powered trains and trucks in anticipation of potential opposition from the incoming Trump administration.
On Tuesday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced it had withdrawn requests for federal approval to enforce stricter emissions standards for locomotives and semi-trucks. The move comes after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to approve these regulations before the end of the Biden administration.
The decision follows a pattern from the first Trump administration, which attempted to block California’s climate initiatives, including efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
One of the regulations withdrawn by CARB would have phased out the sale of new diesel-powered trucks and buses by 2036. This rule, passed in 2023, faced opposition from industry groups who argued it would be expensive and difficult to enforce. Another regulation, also approved in 2023, aimed to ban locomotives older than 23 years by 2030 and promote zero-emission technology in freight transportation.
Liane Randolph, chair of the Air Resources Board, expressed disappointment over the EPA’s delay and highlighted the challenges posed by the incoming administration, which had previously criticized California’s climate programs. She stated that CARB would explore other options to continue addressing emissions and air quality, but did not provide further details.
EPA spokesperson Mike Alpern confirmed that the agency would not take further action on the regulations.
California has long had the right to set stricter emissions standards than the federal government. The Trump administration had previously challenged this authority, but a federal court last year upheld California’s ability to enforce its own vehicle emissions rules. Last month, the EPA also approved California’s plan to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.
Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, did not comment on California’s withdrawal of its waiver requests but emphasized that the incoming president would focus on improving air and water quality in his second term.
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