Trump Moves to Scrap California’s Truck Inspection Requirements

The Trump administration wants to rescind heavy-duty vehicle inspection and maintenance mandates set by California, according to a proposal announced on Monday.

The action is the latest attack on the Golden State’s autonomy over emission rules, which are granted by longstanding Clean Air Act waivers.

Under the current requirements, heavy-duty trucks driven in the state are beholden to California’s inspection and maintenance program. The Environmental Protection Agency claims that those requirements flout federal authority over foreign commerce.

“EPA will not allow California to violate federal law,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement.

California has traditionally had the ability to set its own heavy- and light-duty vehicle emission standards through federal waivers, which accounts for the state’s unique issues with air quality. Other states can also opt into these standards if they want stricter emission plans within their own borders.

The Trump administration has been ticking away at this authority—which it says gives California too much power—by attempting to strip the state of its programs to promote EV sales and set more stringent emission limits.

The EPA’s action Monday came as a proposed rule to partially disapprove California’s submission to revise its State Implementation Plan to manage air quality under the Clean Air Act. The EPA will accept comments on the proposal for 30 days from when it is formally published in the Federal Register.