California Governor Gavin Newsom began a process that could bolster California Air Resources Board regulations against another Trump term.
Newsom last week ordered a special legislative session to prepare the state’s policies for renewed strife with President-elect Donald Trump. On Dec. 2, the state legislature will convene for the special legislative session.
For trucking, this means that California might bolster its emissions regulations—including CARB emissions rules—before the Trump administration starts to weaken emissions standards. According to The Recorder, a Trump administration could bump heads with California on several other issues, including immigration, abortion, and workplace laws.
The special session will bolster the state’s resources to “protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families,” the governor’s office said. Newsom directed the legislature to use the session to provide additional agency funding and change existing law ahead of the conflict.
According to Newsom’s order, the session could help the state “immediately file affirmative litigation challenging actions taken by the incoming Trump administration,” “defend against litigation or enforcement actions” brought by the administration, and “take administrative action” to mitigate the impacts of the Trump administration’s actions.
See also: 3 ways a Republican sweep could change the trucking industry
Trump vs. CARB
Trump and CARB have a tense history—and it seems likely to resume in 2025.
California has a special authority to set its own emissions standards under waivers granted by the Clean Air Act. Other states can then adopt California’s standards. Trump’s first administration tried to remove California’s emissions autonomy.
The first Trump administration revoked CARB’s Clean Air Act waiver, temporarily nullifying the state’s authority to set emissions standards. The Biden administration in 2022 reinstated CARB’s waiver.
This year, Trump’s campaign office vowed to again revoke the CARB waiver.
“On Day One of the Trump administration, not only will Crooked Joe’s electric vehicle mandate be terminated, but any Biden waiver allowing gasoline-powered cars to be outlawed will be immediately revoked,” the Trump campaign told POLITICO.
