The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded its review of California's request for a waiver related to the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. This development was announced by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, following his earlier formal opposition to the request.
In September, Drummond, alongside 23 other state attorneys general, submitted a letter to the EPA. The letter argued against allowing California to implement an electric-vehicle mandate that could potentially disrupt logistics and transportation industries nationwide. The regulation aimed to enforce an electric-truck mandate on fleet owners and operators in California, affecting even those who operate minimally within the state.
Under current regulations dictated by the Clean Air Act, California requires an EPA waiver to enforce such mandates.
“California’s mandate is an absurd overreach that would have inflicted serious harm to our fossil fuels industry,” Drummond stated. “This victory helps keep our supply line in order across the United States. I am grateful for this resolution, and I will continue to fight against the radical climate agenda of the far left.”
Although earlier this month, several other requests from California were granted by the EPA, no action was taken on their Advanced Clean Fleets request. Consequently, California withdrew its application on Monday and the EPA closed the file on Tuesday.
The attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia West Virginia and Wyoming also signed onto the comment letter opposing California's request.