By Chris Burroughs, Vice President of Government Affairs
On Feb. 21, 2019, the White House announced it has formally stop negotiating with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) over its rollback of auto emissions regulations. This ultimately means that the battle will now move to the courtroom, pitting the State of California and the Trump Administration against one other. California, along with several other states that have adopted its rules, is already involved in a lawsuit with the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) over its decision to roll back the standards last year. That suit is still pending. California has also indicated it will challenge the Trump administration's final rule in court as well.
"Despite the Administration's best efforts to reach a common-sense solution, it is time to acknowledge that CARB has failed to put forward a productive alternative since the SAFE Vehicles Rule was proposed. Accordingly, the Administration is moving forward to finalize a rule later this year with the goal of promoting safer, cleaner, and more affordable vehicles," the White House said in a joint statement with EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
TIA has been meeting with members of Congress and their staffs and making them aware of the adverse effects of the 2009 EPA waiver to CARB. The waiver allowed the agency to develop regulations that directly impact 3PLs throughout the U.S. who conduct business in California. TIA staff will continue to work with Congress on addressing this concern, but all signs point towards a lengthy legal battle.
If you have any questions, please contact TIA Advocacy at advocacy@tianet.org or 703-299-5700.