EPA’s Hearing on California’s Clean Trucks Program

States have always been the incubators for climate policy, leading the way to better address the climate crisis. In order for California to set stronger limits on pollution from cars and trucks, the state must be granted a waiver under the Clean Air Act by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). California has received such waivers for more than 50 years, allowing them to protect residents’ health from pollution. 

I testified at today’s EPA hearing considering whether to grant California the necessary waivers to move forward on clean trucks rules. I told EPA that “states can and should continue to lead the way to cleaner technology including zero-emission trucks, which will help them address local air pollution problems and meet climate goals.” If granted, other states around the country will be able to choose California’s stronger regulations to tackle their own air pollution problems. Six states have already adopted the Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which requires increasing sales of zero-emission trucks. Other rules like the Heavy Duty Omnibus rule will help reduce nitrogen oxides, a harmful type of air pollution that contributes to smog.