The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted permission to California enforcing ACC II regulations and steeper low-NOx requirements for heavy-duty and off-road vehicles. This allows the state to have stringent standards of emissions higher than those for the federal Clean Air Act provisions for dealing with its historical poor air quality issues.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, said, “California has longstanding authority to request waivers from EPA to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution.”
He added, “Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to partner with states to reduce emissions and act on the threat of climate change.”
Advancing Clean Air with ACC II and Low-NOx Standards
ACC II shall phase in vehicle models starting from 2026 till 2035 with California’s Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) updates further trying to lower such harmful air pollution like NOx, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter (PM2.5).
The California Air Resources Board stresses that the program intends to bring about public health benefits. It says that measures aim to protect communities from harmful pollutants that aggravate asthma, increase hospitalization, and lead to lost work and school days.
Additionally, the Low-NOx regulations directly address the nitrogen oxides-a key cause of ground-level ozone, or smog-with projected benefits being lessened illnesses and reduced costs to healthcare.
Also read: Supreme Court Refuses to Halt EPA Mercury and Methane Regulations
EPA Review and Approval
EPA took an extensive look at feedback received from public comment period, including input from governments of states, environmental watchdog groups, and industry stakeholders. Their opposition could not establish an inconsistency with the Clean Air Act, which paved a way for the EPA in allowing California’s waivers.
A Model for State-Led Climate Action
California’s emissions rules set an example for other states exploring stricter environmental standards. This decision also underscores the critical role of state-led initiatives in driving clean air policies and combating climate change at a national level.