Golden State Today

On May 23, 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) led a multistate coalition to defend the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The coalition, consisting of attorneys general from 23 states and four cities, filed a motion to intervene in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

The EPA's rule targets emissions from freight trucks, delivery trucks, buses, shuttles, and vocational vehicles such as street sweepers and refuse haulers. It is projected to reduce one billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions and generate $10 billion in annual climate benefits. Additionally, it promises $300 million in annual public health benefits unrelated to greenhouse gases and $3.5 billion in annual operational savings for the trucking industry over these vehicles' lifetimes.

The rule is currently being challenged by 25 Republican-led states seeking to halt its implementation.

“We cannot let groundless claims derail our prompt action against this climate crisis,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Not only does EPA’s rule provide robust economic benefits, it also protects communities from harmful air pollution, especially communities of color and low-income communities that disproportionately bear the burden of this pollution.”

CARB Chair Liane Randolph highlighted that while trucks represent only 6% of vehicles on California roads, they account for nearly 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle exhausts. “The climate crisis and poor air quality that so many communities across the nation face needs to be tackled with strong policies that advance technological innovation,” Randolph stated.

Transportation remains the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with heavy-duty vehicles contributing 25% within this sector. These vehicles also significantly impact air quality and public health through non-GHG pollutants linked to conditions like asthma and premature death.

This intervention aligns with California's ongoing support for federal efforts to reduce nationwide emissions. In April, Attorney General Bonta joined Governor Newsom and CARB in defending EPA’s emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027-2032.

Joining Bonta and CARB are attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New Jersey New York North Carolina Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin District Columbia city county Denver cities Chicago Los Angeles New York filing motion copy motion found here