A bill from House Republicans is targeting the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to issue Clean Air Act waivers for California that could lead to major restrictions or even bans on gas-powered vehicles.
Those waivers are a live issue. Last month, the California Air Resources Board asked the Biden administration for one so it can ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, in line with a decision the board made last year.
The administration gave California the nod for a ban on new diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks. That prohibition begins in 2036.
The state enjoys a carveout for vehicle emissions under the 1970 Clean Air Act because of its historical issues with smog….