CA agrees to repeal trucking emissions regulations following court challenge
California has made a significant decision to drop its Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) mandates, which imposed strict emissions standards on big rigs. This move comes after a year-long legal battle with the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree), led by former Attorney General William Barr. The state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Air Resources Board (CARB) executive Steven Cliff have agreed to withdraw the ACF mandates, leading to AmFree dropping its legal challenge.
In court documents filed recently, Cliff and Bonta agreed to present a proposal for repealing the ACF requirements in a public hearing by October 31. They also committed not to enforce these regulations retroactively. The initial lawsuit by AmFree was based on the grounds that California’s regulations violated the Clean Air Act by not obtaining an environmental waiver.
The ACF mandates, which had been in effect since 2024, required trucking firms to transition their fleets from diesel to zero-emission vehicles. Former Attorney General Barr criticized these regulations, labeling them as a threat to American free enterprise with minimal environmental benefits and negative economic consequences.
AmFree CEO Gentry Collins expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, calling it a failure for California’s attempt to eliminate traditional trucking and a demonstration of Governor Gavin Newsom’s inadequacy. Collins emphasized that the public does not support California’s green agenda, which lacks technological support and consumer demand.
Following the court ruling, regional trucking companies across the country celebrated the news, as they shared a common interest in reversing California’s mandates. The Alabama Trucking Association CEO Mark Colson applauded the decision, highlighting the importance of defending free enterprise and opposing failed policies like those in California.
The rollback of California’s clean-cars mandate marks a significant win for American workers and consumers, according to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who heads the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. She praised the decision, stating that it protects the economy and jobs from radical policies.
The repeal of California’s big-rig regulations is part of a series of recent reversals of green mandates, including Congress overturning three Biden-era EPA waivers granted to California for self-regulating emissions standards. This decision reflects a shift towards protecting American workers and consumers from drastic policies.
For further comments on this development, Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta, and CARB. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
