Congressman Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with Congressman John Joyce, M.D., Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Gary Palmer, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, have sent a letter to Steven S. Cliff, Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The letter demands information and documents regarding California’s enforcement of state vehicle emission standards.
The Committee had previously requested these materials from CARB in an August 11, 2025 letter. According to the Chairmen, “The Committee’s August 11, 2025, letter requested information and documents from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) about California’s enforcement of state vehicle emission standards that disregard recent Congressional actions to disapprove waivers of federal preemption under the Clean Air Act,” said Chairmen Guthrie, Joyce, and Palmer. “Unfortunately, CARB’s responses to date have been woefully inadequate and do not satisfy the Committee’s important oversight interests in this matter.”
The lawmakers cite provisions in the Clean Air Act that generally prevent states from enforcing their own emissions standards for new motor vehicles unless a waiver is granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They note that Congress passed three resolutions under the Congressional Review Act disapproving waivers previously granted by the Biden-Harris Administration. These resolutions were signed into law by President Trump.
A key excerpt from their letter reads: “Clean Air Act section 209(a) preempts states from adopting or attempting to enforce any emissions control standard for new motor vehicles or engines, or any condition precedent to the initial retail sale, registration or inspection of such vehicle or engine. Under section 209(b), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may waive federal preemption, allowing California to establish state motor vehicle emission standards. However, Congress passed with bipartisan support, and President Trump signed, three resolutions under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproving three waivers of preemption that the Biden-Harris Administration previously granted.”
Due to what they describe as CARB’s lack of cooperation in providing requested materials, Committee leaders are now seeking transcribed interviews with six current and former CARB officials if documents are not provided by December 5, 2025. The officials named include Lauren Sanchez (current CARB Chair), Liane Randolph (former CARB Chair), Steven Cliff (CARB Executive Officer), Shannon Dilley (CARB Chief Counsel), Christopher Grundler (CARB Deputy Executive Officer – Mobile Sources & Incentives), and Robin Lang (Division Chief for Emissions Certification & Compliance).
“The Committee requests that these transcribed interviews be completed no later than December 12, 2025.”
Background information included in the announcement notes that after President Trump signed into law three Congressional Review Act resolutions revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards mandating electric vehicle sales, California cannot proceed with plans to ban gas-powered vehicles. The committee’s request also seeks internal guidance given by CARB staff; communications with other states; correspondence between CARB officials and both the Governor's Office and Attorney General's Office; as well as other documents related to how CARB responded after its waiver authority was revoked.
The committee says these materials will help them determine how California is implementing federal clean air laws following congressional action on state emission standards and whether EPA waiver authority should be changed.
