Weakening of emissions standards to which Vermont is tied?

Updated from earlier edition today

By Guy Page

The State of California has withdrawn a request to federal regulators that would have led to a ban on the sale of fossil-fuel powered trucks. 

Received today from the Truckinginfo.com:

‘The California Air Resources Board has withdrawn its request for the waiver it would need from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its controversial Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, since it’s unlikely to get approval from the incoming Trump administration.

“CARB Chair Liane Randolph said in a statement, “The withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration that previously attacked California’s programs to protect public health and the climate and has said will continue to oppose those programs.”

“For the first time, ACF required fleets to buy zero-emissions trucks. In the past, emissions regulations targeted the manufacturers. 

“The ACF would have mandated that truck buyers increasingly purchase zero-emissions trucks, on a phased-in schedule based on fleet size and annual revenues.”

The CARB request does not – yet – affect the state’s requirement to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks. Vermont state law requires that the state adopt whatever emissions standards are set by California.  But that’s separate, and unaffected by today’s decision; however, the regulation affecting Vermont is reportedly in the cross hairs of the Trump administration.

California and Vermont both have the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation:
– Focuses on manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
– Requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) (electric, hydrogen, or other zero-emission technologies) annually, starting with the 2024 model year.
– Ensures that the production pipeline supplies more zero-emission trucks over time.

in addition, California was (but is not now) proposing a Clean Fleets Regulation:
– Targets fleet owners and operators, including government, private, and high-priority fleets.
– Requires fleet owners to gradually transition their fleets to zero-emission vehicles or comply with stringent emissions standards, with deadlines varying by fleet type and size.
– Places operational responsibility on fleet operators rather than vehicle manufacturers.