On May 22, the U.S. Senate passed three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to revoke waivers that allow California to adopt tougher vehicle emission standards than the national standard.
- House Joint Resolution 87 overturns a waiver that allows California to require manufacturers to produce and sell increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks by 2035. The Senate passed this resolution by a vote of 51-45. The resolution previously passed the House by a vote of 231-191.
- House Joint Resolution 88 overturns a waiver that allows California to require that by 2035, all new passenger vehicles sold are zero emission vehicles. The Senate passed this resolution by a vote of 51-44. The resolution previously passed the House by a vote of 246-164.
- House Joint Resolution 89 overturns a waiver that allows California to reduce allowable nitrogen oxide emissions from medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The Senate passed this resolution by a vote of 49-46. The House previously passed the resolution by a vote of 225-196.
Governor Newsom responded in a press release on the same day, announcing that California will fight this effort in court. If the resolutions withstand legal challenge, they would effectively put an end to the California Air Resources Board’s Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Cars rules requiring a transition to zero emissions only vehicle sales in California.
In additional response, on Friday Governor Newsom announced that California is joining the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, led by the bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance, to collaborate on next steps for the clean vehicle programs in the participating states. In addition to California, the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition includes Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersy, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Meanwhile, the House Joint Resolutions passed by the U.S. Senate are now headed to the desk of the President for consideration.
For additional information, contact RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton.