NESCAUM Applauds U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Approval of Clean Air Act Waivers for Cleaner Cars and Trucks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2024

Contact
Elaine O’Grady
(802) 343-7221
eogrady@nescaum.org
 

(Boston, MA) The Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) commends the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approving the State of California’s waiver of preemption to enforce the low-emission vehicle (LEV) and zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) requirements of the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) program. The ACC II regulations will significantly decrease emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, including fine particulate matter and smog-forming oxides of nitrogen (NOx), from passenger cars and trucks in California and the states that have adopted identical regulations, as allowed under the Clean Air Act since 1977.

NESCAUM also welcomes EPA’s waiver approval for California’s Omnibus Low NOx Regulation (“NOx Omnibus”). In order to meet health-based air quality standards for ground-level ozone pollution, many states in the Northeast and elsewhere need emission reductions of NOx emitted by large trucks. NOx is the critical precursor of ozone formation on a regional scale, and on-road diesel vehicles are the third largest NOx emissions source in the Northeast.

Transportation is the largest source of climate disrupting GHG emissions in the nation and a major source of particulate matter, smog, and hazardous air pollutants that harm public health. For decades, states in the Northeast have enforced California’s clean car standards, including the ZEV program, in lieu of federal standards. These standards have led to dramatic improvements in air quality and are a key component of state plans to achieve their GHG emissions reduction targets. Additionally, ZEV sales requirements provide the regulatory certainty needed to drive public and private investment in zero-emission technology and vehicle charging infrastructure.

Trucks, mostly powered by diesel engines, have an outsized impact on public health, especially in low-income communities and communities of color located near heavy trucking activity, such as ports and warehouses. These vehicles comprise only 5% of total on-road vehicle sales in the U.S., but account for over 50% of NOx and fine particulate emissions. The NOx Omnibus Regulation will provide substantial emission reductions in frontline communities that have been disproportionally impacted by diesel truck emissions.

Paul Miller, NESCAUM Executive Director, said: “Today’s EPA actions to approve California’s waiver requests for cleaner cars and trucks underscores the rights of states to pursue clean air, protect communities from localized air pollution, and address climate change. These programs will continue to build on the momentum driving the transition to electric vehicles, lower polluting trucks, and cleaner, more affordable transportation options.”

NESCAUM previously submitted written comments to EPA in support of the ACCII and NOx Omnibus waivers. NESCAUM urges EPA to swiftly finalize consideration and approval of the additional Clean Air Act preemption waiver requests pending before EPA.

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NESCAUM is the regional non-profit association of state air pollution control agencies in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. NESCAUM serves as a technical and policy advisor to its member agencies on a wide range of air pollution and climate issues and facilitates multi-state initiatives to improve air quality and mitigate climate change. For more than three decades, NESCAUM and its members have closely collaborated with California and other states, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the automobile industry to promote low- and zero-emission vehicles.

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