SACRAMENTO — Today, California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph issued the following statement in response to a vote by the U.S. Senate purporting to disapprove California’s Clean Air Act waivers for Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus using the Congressional Review Act (CRA).   

“California profoundly disagrees with today's unconstitutional, illegal and foolish vote attempting to undermine critical clean air protections. It’s an assault on states’ rights the federal administration claims to support that puts national air quality standards out of reach and will have devastating effects for the 150 million Americans who breathe unhealthy air every day. These actions are contrary to the text of the Congressional Review Act, as recognized by the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian. California will pursue every available remedy to challenge these actions and defend our right to protect the public from dangerous air pollution. Turning the clock back on both cleaner combustion engine requirements and zero-emission technology is an attack on clean air.

“This short-sighted political move is another strike against the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. auto industry in a global market that is rapidly advancing toward cleaner combustion technology as well as zero-emission vehicles. These actions throw uncertainty into the middle of an ongoing vehicle certification process. Despite the market disruption brought on by the federal government, California remains steadfast in our commitment to work with manufacturers to keep moving toward a cleaner transportation system, and we will have more guidance in the coming days. With the determination, perseverance and innovation of Californians, we will overcome this misguided attempt to stand in the way of the fundamental right to breathe clean air.”

CARB Chair Liane Randolph

California’s clean air authority

Since the Clean Air Act was adopted in 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted California more than 100 waivers for its clean air and climate efforts. California has always demonstrated that its standards are feasible, and that manufacturers have enough lead time to develop the technology to meet them. It has done so for every waiver it has submitted.

Although California standards have dramatically improved air quality, the state’s conditions, including its geography and air pollution challenges, mean continued progress on reducing vehicle emissions is required to meet national air quality standards, state requirements, and address climate change. Five of the ten cities with the worst air pollution nationwide are in California. Ten million Californians in the San Joaquin Valley and Los Angeles air basins currently live under what is known as “severe nonattainment” conditions for ozone. People in these areas suffer unusually high rates of asthma and cardiopulmonary disease. Zero-emission vehicles are a critical part of the plan to protect Californians.

Waivers work

California’s vehicle rules have directly resulted in the development of major technological advances that address vehicle emissions. As a result, in terms of smog-forming pollution the average new car sold in California – and nationwide – is more than 99 percent cleaner than a car from the 1970s. Highlights include: 

• 1969: Evaporative emissions – Required tighter-fitting fuel caps and redesigned fuel lines to cut leakage of gasoline vapors.
• 1973: Catalytic converter – In response to state regulations, automakers developed an exhaust-system technology to cut emissions of smog-forming gases; converters were first required on1975 model-year cars. This also led to the removal of lead from gasoline, protecting children from the harmful development effects of lead exposure.
• 1986: Check engine light – Starting with the 1988 model year, required all vehicles to have computers capable of detecting whether emissions-control equipment is working properly (Onboard Diagnostics) and turn on the Check Engine Light if not, helping drivers spot problems early and maintain their cars and trucks.
• 1990: Low-Emission Vehicle standards – Established standards for allowable levels of smog forming emissions from passenger vehicles and some SUVs and pickups, for the 1994-2003 model years.
• 1999: Low-Emission Vehicle II standards – Extended emissions restrictions to include all light trucks and SUVs for the 2004-2010 model years and tightened emissions standards for passenger cars.
• 2012: Advanced Clean Cars I – Coordinated greenhouse gas and smog-reducing standards and requirements for passenger cars, light-duty trucks and some medium-duty vehicles to align California and national standards for model years 2017-2025, and enacted provisions to help manufacturers bring their zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to market. This program reduced smog-forming pollution 75 percent (compared to 2014) and greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent (compared to 2016). 13 other states have adopted at least some parts of California’s program.