On June 12, 2025, the President signed three joint resolutions disapproving rules submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning California’s vehicle emissions standards. These resolutions prevent California from implementing its Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Omnibus Low NOX programs. The federal government argues that these programs infringe upon the authority of the Clean Air Act and disrupt the established federal-state balance of power. The President stated that allowing California to impose its regulations nationwide would create an unmanageable patchwork of state laws and limit consumer choice across the country.

The signed resolutions indicate that California’s attempts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and enforce an electric vehicle mandate do not qualify for waivers under the Clean Air Act. The federal government asserts that vehicle emissions should be regulated at the federal level due to the interstate nature of air quality issues, maintaining that states should not have the authority to impose standards that could affect the entire nation. By rejecting California’s proposals, the administration aims to uphold constitutional principles of federalism and prevent the establishment of a national electric vehicle mandate driven by a single state.

Additionally, the resolutions include a provision under the Congressional Review Act, which prevents the EPA from approving any future waivers similar to those disapproved in these resolutions. This means that California will not be able to pursue its ambitious environmental policies regarding vehicle emissions and electric vehicles, as the federal government argues these policies lack the localized justifications required for such waivers. Consequently, this action marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape regarding vehicle emissions and environmental standards in the United States.

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