The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted two waiver requests from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). These waivers allow California to implement its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations for light-duty vehicles and its "Omnibus" low-NOx regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines.
Under the Clean Air Act, California can adopt emissions requirements that differ from federal regulations to address its air quality challenges. However, it must seek a waiver from the EPA for new motor vehicle emission standards. After reviewing information provided by California, public comments, and applying criteria under the Clean Air Act, the EPA found it appropriate to grant both waiver requests.
"California has longstanding authority to request waivers from EPA to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution coming from mobile sources like cars and trucks," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to partner with states to reduce emissions and act on the threat of climate change."
The ACC II program is designed for model years 2026 through 2035 and beyond, targeting on-road light- and medium-duty engines and vehicles. It includes revisions to California's Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations. CARB anticipates that this program will cut pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), greenhouse gases, and toxic air pollutants.
CARB also projects that its Low-NOx standards will protect communities from NOx pollution that contributes to ground-level ozone or smog formation, which can cause health issues like increased illnesses, asthma attacks, lost work or school days, and hospitalizations.
The EPA considered public comments from various stakeholders including state and local governments, health organizations, environmental groups, industry representatives in making these decisions. The agency's evaluation was based on CARB's requests according to Clean Air Act requirements alongside other submitted information.
EPA continues reviewing additional waiver requests from California ensuring decisions are legally sound.
