By Makenna Christensen ALC Logistics
In 1970, the Federal Clean Air Act granted California special authorization to “set its own separate and stricter-than-federal vehicle emissions regulations to address the extraordinary circumstances of population, climate and topography that generated the worst air in the nation.” Under this legislation, the state is required to obtain special waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before implementing such regulations. Subsequent regulations were very successful and are credited with reducing the smog that once blanketed Los Angeles and improving air quality across the state.
Now, California’s leadership has a new goal: to reduce greenhouse gases 85 percent and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The key to their plan is phasing out the sale of diesel and gasoline powered vehicles. The state sent several waivers for approval to a sympathetic EPA from 2022 to 2024 with mild success. “The waivers granted during the Biden Administration were for California’s Advanced Clean Trucks Rule, Omnibus NOx rule and Clean Cars II rule. Notably, California withdrew its Advanced Clean Fleets Rule from EPA waiver consideration before the Inauguration.” Soon after these waivers were imposed (re-imposed in some cases), stakeholders began to fight back.
On his first day in office, President Trump revoked nearly 80 of the previous administration’s executive actions with the simple stroke of a pen. Among these executive actions he announced his policy to unleash American energy and terminate the “electric vehicle mandate.” This included guidance to revoke California’s EPA waivers.
Last year, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments about the legal basis for some of the lawsuits challenging California Clean Cars regulations. However, following Trump’s executive actions, the federal government has asked the Supreme Court to pause its schedule, arguing that a ruling was unnecessary considering Trump’s executive actions.
President Trump is far from the first president to undo his predecessor’s legacy with an executive order. The Advanced Clean Cars waiver has actually been granted and subsequently revoked by three different administrations. Leaving many in the transportation sector unsure how to move forward. While there is no immediate threat of enforcement, how do we know that won’t change four years from now?
If President Trump wants to enact lasting change and provide stability to our supply chain, he must codify these changes. By allowing the Supreme Court to weigh in, he can cement his legacy and stabilize the transportation sector as it searches for a path forward.
*****
Makenna Christensen graduated from Marquette University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Human Resources. In 2022, she started working as a Software Sales Coordinator for ALC Logistics, the software division of the Allen Lund Company. In February 2025, she successfully completed the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Apprentice program.
makenna.christensen@allenlund.com