California Can Set Emissions Standards Again
The EPA just announced the return of the California Clean Air Act. What kind of effect can we expect on the auto industry?
Written by Clare Behe
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
The Biden administration has rolled back the ban that former President Trump put on the state of California for the right to set its own
emissions standards
. As such, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the return
of the California Clean Air Act. Many state officials took to Twitter to applaud the law’s return, as it sets a precedent for other states to follow suit by taking a local approach to curbing transportation emissions that account for nearly 30% of the nation's total carbon output. Of that 30% of cars and trucks make up 58%, making passenger vehicles the highest contributor to transportation-sourced emissions.
California state attorney general Rob Bonta proudly
stated
, “If we're going to tackle the climate crisis, we're all going to have to do our part. And California's standards—which have been adopted by 15 states and counting—are some of the best tools we have to reduce emissions, drive technological innovation, and protect public health.”Leading the clean air gold rush
California's right to set stricter emissions regulations independently of Federal standards is incredibly significant for many reasons, not the least of which is the flexibility it allows the other 49 states. Before the Trump ban in 2019, there were a total of 15 States and Washington, D.C. participating in the Clean Air Act and were occasionally referred to as “Section 177 states.”
According to
Section 177
of the California Clean Air Act, States can opt to enact the Clean Air Act themselves, effectively setting their regulations, even though technically no other state has the authority to set its own emissions standards. The Golden State holds a powerful sway over automotive trends,
leading
the US by accounting for nearly 40 percent of vehicle sales. The three largest auto producers in America: Ford, GM, and Daimler Chrysler, have already announced the decision to produce exclusively electric vehicles by 2035; the same year that California is looking to outlaw the sale of new gas-powered cars and light trucks. Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Let the smog roll out
Another reason for California's role in regulating tailpipe emissions is the air quality. The American Lung Association
lists six
different California cities in the ten most polluted US cities. In the years the Clean Air Act was in effect, air quality notably improved. Even when the rollback was enforced in 2019, Ford, Honda, BMW, Volkswagen, and Volvo continued to adhere to the Clean Air Act standards because they had been so effective at smog reduction.
We know all too well the harm that industry can bring to the planet. Now, it seems, the time has come to see what help humanity can bring to a healthier future.
A healthier, “greener” future is ideal for your wallet, too. If you're interested in saving up to $887 per year and simplifying your car insurance, why not check out
Jerry
? Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and will even help you cancel your old policy.And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. Check out what happy customers
have to say
about their experiences!Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
