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By Ashley<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that California should not be permitted to apply a Clean Air Act (CAA) emissions check regulation to commercial vehicles that are registered out-of-state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a January 27 Final Rule<\/a>, the EPA announced \u201cfinal disapproval of California\u2019s Heavy-Duty (HD) Inspection and Maintenance (I\/M) Regulation under the CAA to the extent the regulation applies to out-of-state and out-of-country registered vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n HD I\/M, also known as the \u201cClean Truck Checks\u201d rule, requires vehicle emissions testing for non-gas powered vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds that operate on public roadways in California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EPA determined that \u201cCalifornia\u2019s unprecedented attempt to establish an I\/M program \u2026 for heavy-duty vehicles that pass-through California, regardless of where the vehicle was registered, may violate Federal law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EPA said that California did not provide proof that \u201cimplementing the Regulation would be consistent with the U.S. Constitution\u2019s Commerce Clause, which prevents states from interfering with interstate and international trade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EPA also asserted that \u201cCalifornia\u2019s attempt to apply these truck inspection rules to vehicles from other countries violates federal authority over foreign policy matters, and that applying the regulation to out-of-state registered vehicles is not a proper use of the CAA\u2019s planning provisions, which empower each state to promote air quality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEPA is committed to following the law and its statutory obligations as written. While California may force costly regulations on vehicles registered in its own state, EPA will not allow California to impose those costly regulations on American truck drivers and engine manufacturers in other states or countries for its own purposes by misusing the CAA,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The EPA did provide a partial approval that will allow the HD I\/M Regulation to become federally enforceable for trucks registered in the state of California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Trump EPA will never back down from holding California accountable and stopping them from imposing unnecessary regulations on the entire nation. If California had its way, prices would skyrocket for truckers and businesses across America. Affordable trucks are vital for keeping food and goods moving and prices low for families,\u201d said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. \u201cAmericans didn\u2019t vote for California\u2019s policies to be imposed nationwide. They voted for President Trump\u2019s policies that put working families first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the EPA\u2019s ruling:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t believe the tabloid headlines. EPA isn\u2019t stopping California from enforcing California law.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trump wants to POSION YOUR CHILDREN!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Governor Gavin Newsom won\u2019t let him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t believe the tabloid headlines. EPA isn\u2019t stopping California from enforcing California law. https:\/\/t.co\/iEuo3UTCfU<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n