This is very bad and will have national implications due to the size of California’s economy (emphasis mine).
The Biden administration will approve new California rules to cut tailpipe pollution and phase out sales of diesel-burning trucks, according to three people briefed on the plans, a move that could jump-start the nation’s transition to electric-powered trucks and help communities harmed by diesel pollution.
The Environmental Protection Agency intends to grant California “waivers” to enforce environmental rules that are significantly tougher than federal requirements and that state regulators have already approved, said these individuals, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement was not yet public.
The new policies could have a profound effect on the air Californians breathe. Heavy-duty trucks account for nearly a third of the state’s smog-forming nitrogen oxide and more than a quarter of its fine particle pollution from diesel fuel. Both of these harmful pollutants are linked to asthma, other respiratory illnesses and premature death. Environmental advocates on behalf of Black and Latino Californians, who are more likely to live near ports, huge warehouse complexes and major highways, have long pleaded with the state’s regulators to strengthen pollution limits on the trucks whose fumes waft through their neighborhoods. Climate activists have echoed these demands.
The rules could also have national significance. Six other states, which together with California represent about 20 percent of the nation’s heavy-duty vehicle sales, have already committed to follow California’s tougher standards. But because of the way the Clean Air Act works, California and those other states cannot put their plans into action until the EPA grants the state a waiver.
Because environmental racism! We certainly can’t have black people or Latinos have jobs now can we? Not to worry, Biden is coming to the rescue with an kickback … er … alternative, electric vehicles. We’re saved! However, even Toyota’s CEO has said that electric vehicles are in doubt as the only way to go the auto industry. No doubt, Gavin Newsom and Biden will target those evil Japanese automobile manufacturers next.
California truck manufacturers are, rightly, very concerned about the impact of the state government’s decision because our supply lines are dependent on trucks powered by diesel fuel. From The Post:
The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, which represents the nation’s largest truck manufacturers, has warned that tougher rules would increase the cost of trucks, pushing buyers to delay making new purchases and leaving older, dirtier vehicles on the road for years. The group has also tried to discourage other states from adopting California’s sales mandate, claiming it will hurt their economies and the environment.
Green Jihad 