Two women and a dog sit on Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath overlooking an overcast Central London on April 10, 2015 in London, England. Air pollution and smog has blanketed much of central and Southern England today, posing a possible health risk to those suffering from respiratory diseases, older people and children, according to health charities. Getty images
Giving the Rights Back to California
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The ruling, which will take several months to finalize, reaffirms California's dominant status as an environmental regulator after the Trump administration attempted to strip the state of its authority to set its own carbon requirements in 2019.
It also sets the tone for talks over how stringent federal vehicle regulations will be under President Biden's administration.
In a tweet, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, "I am a true believer in California's long-standing regulatory authority to lead."
The decision in 2019 to revoke the state's permit to impose its greenhouse gas emission rules for cars and trucks was both technically questionable and a direct assault on the public's health and well-being.
As part of the process of reversing the Trump-era law, the EPA will welcome public comments until July 6.
California's pollution legacy dates back to 1943 when residents first noticed outbreaks of smog causing sore eyes, burning lungs, and nausea, prompting them to wear masks while walking the city's streets to protect themselves from the thick air.
The Mulford-Carrell Air Resources Act, which established the California Air Resources Board, was enacted by a coalition of California legislators and leaders in 1967 to unify statewide attempts to combat extreme air pollution (CARB). The Federal Air Quality Act of 1967 was passed the same year, allowing California to enforce more strict air quality regulations due to its unusual geography, temperature, and population growth.
Because of this history, the EPA has long issued a waiver allowing the state to set its own automotive emissions requirements as long as they are stricter than federal rules.
California's regulations represent almost a third of the new vehicle market in the United States, allowing California authorities a significant amount of control over the auto industry.
Trump Administration Changes
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 30: Cars drive along Leipziger Strasse in a long exposure time image during rush hour in Mitte district on January 30, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. German cities are grappling with a variety of issues related to cars, including possible court-imposed bans on older-model diesel cars due to their emissions, debates over how to effectively measure emission levels as well as other means to lower the level of pollution, including expanding the charging infrastructure for electric-powered vehicles.Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
This sparked a legal dispute and split the auto industry, with some carmakers siding with California and accepting slightly higher vehicle carbon emissions requirements willingly. At the same time, the majority supported the Trump administration.
Fixing Past Environmental Mishaps
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Following Biden's election to the White House, every major automaker ultimately abandoned their support for Trump's failed campaign.
The Environmental Protection Agency has begun the process of overturning Trump's order. Last week, the Department of Transportation recommended "wiping the regulatory slate clean," implying that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would no longer work to obstruct state pollution controls, as it had done under Trump.
Under the Biden administration, it's also unclear whether federal rules on vehicle emissions and fuel efficiency will be implemented. Any conservation organizations and democratic politicians call for the Obama-era guidelines to be reinstated, with more aggressive goals to pursue.
