In a striking setback for reducing California’s air pollution but a victory for trucking companies, state regulators abandoned their ambitious plan to phase out diesel trucks less than a week before the return of President-elect Donald Trump at the White House.
As Alejandro Lazo of CalMatters explains, in 2023 the California Air Resources Board voted to ban the sale of new big diesel rigs by 2036 and require large fleets to convert all their trucks to zero-emission models of here 2042. About 1.8 million trucks operate in the state.
To enforce the ban, California needs a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (In December, for example, the Biden administration approved California’s mandate to phase out new gasoline-powered cars.) But on Tuesday, the board withdrew its requests to approve emissions standards for diesel trucks , anticipating that the Trump administration would likely reject them.
- Liane Randolphchairman of the board, in a statement: “The withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the new administration which has previously attacked California programs aimed at protecting public health and the climate and said that she would continue to oppose these programs. »
Trump has repeatedly denounced the state’s electric car mandates and, during his first term, attempted to revoke California’s authority to limit car emissions. In October, he also said no state would be allowed to ban gas-powered cars under his presidency.
Environmentalists criticized the withdrawal, including Paul Cort, director of Earthjustice’s Right To Zero campaign, who said “diesel is one of the most dangerous types of air pollution for human health.”
The withdrawal follows the Air Board’s decision in December to terminate what would have been a first-in-the-nation initiative to increase sales of electric motorcycles.
Learn more here.
Focus on the Inner Empire: Every Wednesday, CalMatters Inland Empire reporter Deborah Brennan reviews the big news stories from this part of California. Read his newsletter and sign up here to receive it.
Forest fire bulletin: CalMatters is partnering with PBS SoCal, LAist and KCRW to offer a free newsletter providing new and accurate information about the Southern California wildfires. Read the latest edition here.
Other stories to know
Student and homeless crisis hit by wildfires
Let’s review some news regarding the Los Angeles County fires:
- Unhoused residents: Wildfires will likely worsen the housing shortage in a county that already has more than 75,000 unhoused residents, CalMatters’ Marisa Kendall writes. But a look back at past fires highlights other potential housing problems ahead: people who can’t insure their homes, for example, could find themselves homeless because they can’t find other housing, and tenants of buildings in good condition could face housing problems. evictions if their landlords decide to increase rents. Learn more here.
- Students: On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to help young students displaced by the fires. That includes waiving some state rules to allow them to attend schools outside their district and helping schools avoid penalties if they don’t meet the minimum number of school days in a year. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County colleges and universities are responding to the fire by providing services such as providing temporary housing for employees and organizing fundraising efforts, CalMatters’ reporters write. College Journalism Network. Learn more here.
Dry conditions are a major factor
As Trump continues to blame Newsom’s water policies and alleged mismanagement by state officials for Southern California’s fires, a UCLA report released Monday finds that the buildup of vegetation, Dry conditions and high winds were the main factors fueling the fires.
As CalMatters environmental reporter Alastair Bland explains, Southern California recently experienced two unusually rainy winters – which encouraged brush to flourish – followed by one of the hottest summers on record last year .
In the days before the fires started, the air in the area was also extremely dry.
Add to these conditions the 100 mph Santa Ana winds and experts say little could have been done to prevent disaster, as these fires would become nearly unstoppable once ignited.
- Alexandra SyphardSenior research ecologist at the Conservation Biology Institute: “I don’t believe that wildland management could have done anything to qualitatively or substantially change the outcome of these fires. »
Learn more here.
More weather changes: Alastair and CalMatters Director of Video Strategy Robert Meeks also have a video segment on how extreme weather in humid Northern California and arid Southern California is fueling climate dangers as part of our partnership with PBS SoCal. Watch it here.
SoCalMatters airs at 5:58 p.m. weekdays on PBS SoCal.
And finally: while waiting for insulin
Two years ago, Governor Newsom vetoed a bill that would have reduced co-pays for insulin, citing a plan for California to produce its own insulin. But this $100 million project won’t provide medicine for years. Find out why from CalMatters health reporter Kristen Hwang.
Californian voices
Dan Walters, CalMatters columnist: If California cannot avoid natural disasters, we must take a more preventative approach instead of reacting after the fact.
Other things worth doing:
Rural areas received millions fire prevention funds in burned parts of Los Angeles // Los Angeles Times
Republican congressional leaders press for conditions on California wildfire relief // KQED
Altadena avoided California fire insurance hell. It won’t last // Grist
In the charred remains of Altadenaa painful search for victims // The Washington Post
Many of California’s most destructive fires were caused by power lines // The New York Times
Why California Federal Courts stay liberal under Trump // San Francisco Chronicle
People with ties to the Bay Area could obtain pardon from Trump by January 6 // San Francisco Chronicle
Central Valley organization gaining momentum immigration aid amid fears of mass expulsions // The Modesto Bee
Tijuana declares state of emergency before possible mass deportations // The San Diego Union-Tribune