The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has spoken! It issues a final disapproval ruling against a California regulation. Emission checks on all trucks over 14,000 lbs, no matter where they’re registered, won’t fly. 

EPA gives California truck emissions regulation a final disapproval 

Sorry, California. The EPA disapproves of emission checks for heavy-duty vehicles over 14,000 lbs, regardless of where they’re registered. This is probably a relief for truck drivers who are registered out-of-state. 

According to Truck News, California isn’t allowed to count this program toward its pollution reduction requirements. The Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program, or Clean Truck Check regulation, screens the emissions output of vehicles operating on state roads. 

Commercial vehicles, such as those used by the police, emergency responders, and military, already have around emissions equipment. 

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin shares, “The Trump EPA will never back down from holding California accountable and stopping them from imposing unnecessary regulations on the entire nation.” 

He also mentions that if California gets its way, prices would skyrocket for truckers and businesses across America. But haven’t prices and costs been rapidly increasing already?

But Governor Gavin Newsom claims the “EPA isn’t stopping California from enforcing California law.” Allegedly, the California Air Resources Board says the EPA lacks authority to regulate state programs. 

California shares that this regulation is to ensure emissions control systems are properly functioning while traveling in state traffic. However, the EPA fights back, claiming that applying these standards to out-of-state trucks is an improper use of the federal Clean Air Act. 

Plus, it’s a federal violation over foreign policy matters to regulate vehicles from other countries like Mexico and Canada.