California’s At-Berth Regulation granted US EPA authorization

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) received authorization from the US EPA under the Clean Air Act for its 2020 At-Berth Regulation, which further reduces pollution from ocean-going vessels while docked at California’s busiest ports. (Earlier post.) The new regulation was passed by the CARB Board in 2020 and adds... Read more →


CARB staff considering amendments to ACC II to increase stringency of LEV III GHG standards post MY 2025

In 2012, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Advanced Clean Cars I (ACC I) regulations. These regulations include the LEV III regulation for criteria pollutants (LEV III Criteria), GHG (LEV III GHG) emissions, and the ZEV regulation and combine the control of smog-causing (criteria) pollutants and GHG emissions... Read more →


EPA goes after eBay for unlawfully sold pesticides, banned chemical products, and defeat devices on motor vehicles

In federal court in Brooklyn, the US. Department of Justice, on behalf of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), filed a complaint against eBay Inc. for unlawfully selling, offering for sale, causing the sale of, and distributing hundreds of thousands of products in violation of the Clean Air Act (CAA);... Read more →


DOI interagency working group proposes overhaul of 151-year-old mining law; 4 - 8% royalties on hardrock mining

The US Department of the Interior-led Interagency Working Group on Mining Laws, Regulations, and Permitting (IWG) released its final report containing recommendations to reform and improve the way mining is conducted on US. public lands. The report will inform efforts to modernize the Mining Law of 1872 and related federal... Read more →


European Parliament approves law to increase uptake of green jet fuels; 70% by 2050

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved a new law to increase the uptake of sustainable fuels, such as advanced biofuels or hydrogen, in the aviation sector. The RefuelEU aviation rules are part of the “Fit for 55 package”, the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least... Read more →


CARB settles with American Honda Motor for $7.9M for violations of SORE air quality regulations

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reached a settlement agreement with American Honda Motor Corp., Inc. of Torrance for $7.9 million for violations of CARB’s small off-road engine (SORE) air quality regulations. This is the third SORE enforcement action against Honda in the past four years. Previously, CARB settled cases... Read more →


DoI cancels oil and gas leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; proposes new protections in National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge), US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has authorized the cancellation of the remaining seven oil and gas leases issued by the previous administration in the Coastal Plain. The leases were suspended in June 2021 following the issuance of Secretary’s Order (S.O.)... Read more →


EPA initiates new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). EPA Administrator Michael Regan reached this decision after considering advice provided by the independent Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). EPA established the current standards at a level of 70 parts per... Read more →


The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a massive expansion of the scrappage scheme to every Londoner affected by the imminent ULEZ expansion, along with a number of other significant changes. In November 2022, Khan announced the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) (earlier post) London-wide (earlier post).... Read more →


International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopts revised strategy to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping.

Member States of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), meeting at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) earlier this month, adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. The revised IMO GHG Strategy includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping... Read more →


EPA and DOE to provide more than $1B to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas sector

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Energy (DOE) are partnering to provide more than $1 billion in funding to help reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector through the creation of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. This collaboration will leverage EPA and DOE’s shared... Read more →


NHTSA and FMCSA propose new safety standard requiring automatic emergency braking systems in heavy vehicles

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would require heavy vehicles to have automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems that will mitigate the frequency and severity of rear-end crashes. An AEB system... Read more →


EPA finalizes new Renewable Fuel Standards

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program that establishes the biofuel volume requirements for 2023 to 2025. The final rule also discusses EPA’s intent to monitor the ongoing implementation of the RFS program and its impacts on domestic refineries. The... Read more →


CARB adopts Advanced Clean Fleets rule; 100% medium- and heavy-duty ZEV sales starting in 2036

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Advanced Clean Fleets rule (earlier post), which will require a phased-in transition to zero-emission medium-and-heavy duty vehicles. While trucks represent only 6% of the vehicles on California’s roads, they account for more than 35% of the state’s transportation-generated nitrogen oxide emissions and... Read more →


EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two new proposed federal emissions standards spanning light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2027 and beyond. EPA projects that the proposed standards would avoid nearly 10 billion tons of CO2 emissions—equivalent to more than twice the total US CO2 emissions in... Read more →


DOE proposes revising procedures for calculating petroleum-equivalent fuel economy of EVs for use in CAFE calculations

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing a significant revision in its procedures for calculating a value for the petroleum-equivalent fuel economy of EVs for use in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The change, petitioned for by the Natural Resources... Read more →


EPA grants waivers for California’s on-highway heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is granting two waivers of preemption regarding four California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations related to California’s heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. Under the Clean Air Act, California is afforded broad discretion to adopt emissions requirements to meet its significant air quality challenges,... Read more →


UC Riverside engineers to “referee” CARB heavy-duty truck emissions program

University of California, Riverside (UCR) environmental engineers will soon serve as referees in California’s drive for heavy-duty trucks to meet the state’s tailpipe emission standards. The referee program will provide testing services for vehicles potentially operating with tampered emissions control systems and/or testability issues. Operating under the California Air Resources... Read more →


Germany and EC reach agreement on inclusion of e-fuels in 2035 ZEV limits

The German government and the EU Commission reached agreement on the inclusion of internal combustion engines fueled by CO2-neutral fuels—eFuels—late Friday evening. The agreement clears the way for the adoption of the 100% zero emissions limits for 2035. (Earlier post.) Early in March, Germany’s Federal Minister of Transport Dr. Volker... Read more →


Council and European Parliament agree to green shipping fuels regulations

The Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached provisional political agreement on green shipping fuels regulations. The main objective of the FuelEU Maritime initiative, as a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package, is to increase the demand for and consistent use of renewable and low-carbon... Read more →


A global Automotive Manufacturing Outlook survey commissioned by ABB Robotics and industry publication Automotive Manufacturing Solutions found that more than half (59%) of respondents believe the shift to pure electric vehicle production is not achievable within current legislative timelines. The respondents surveyed highlighted challenges in adapting to a new battery... Read more →


NJ initiating process to adopt California Advanced Clean Cars II

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state will initiate the process to adopt Advanced Clean Cars II. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin considering the potential adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation implemented by the California Air Resources Board. If adopted,... Read more →


European Parliament approves zero CO2 for new cars and vans in 2035

The European Parliament approved the new CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, part of the “Fit for 55” package. With 340 votes in favor, 279 against and 21 abstentions, MEPs endorsed the deal reached with the Council on revised CO2 emission performance standards for... Read more →


European Commission proposes 2030 ZEV target for new city buses, 90% CO2 reductions for new heavy trucks by 2040

The European Commission has proposed new CO2 emissions targets for new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) from 2030 onwards. The Commission proposes phasing in stronger CO2 emissions standards for almost all new HDVs with certified CO2 emissions, compared to 2019 levels, specifically: 45% emissions reductions from 2030; 65% emission reductions from 2035;... Read more →


The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to to revise the primary (health-based) annual PM2.5 standard from its current level of 12.0 µg/m3 to within the range of 9.0 to 10.0 µg/m3. EPA is taking comment on the full range (between 8 and 11 10 µg/m3) included in... Read more →


Piedmont Lithium (earlier post) has amended its earlier agreement with Tesla to supply the US automaker with spodumene concentrate (SC6) from North American Lithium (NAL). North American Lithium is a brownfield open pit mining and spodumene concentrator operation in Québec owned 75% by Australia-based Sayona Mining and 25% by Piedmont.... Read more →


Final California deadline for upgrading heavy-duty diesels to MY2010 or newer engines

California’s Truck and Bus regulation (earlier post) has been in effect since December 2008, with the purpose of reducing emissions of diesel particulate matter (PM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and other criteria pollutants from in-use diesel-fueled vehicles. Under the regulation, 1 January 2023 marked the final deadline to replace or... Read more →


The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized more stringent NOx emissions limits for model year 2027 and later heavy-duty engines and vehicles. Relative to current rules, the new standards are more than 80% stronger, increase useful life of governed vehicles by 1.5–2.5 times, and will yield emissions warranties that are... Read more →


The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) (earlier post) London-wide. The expansion will come into effect on 29 August 2023 and will operate across all London boroughs up to the existing Low Emission Zone boundary for large and heavy vehicles. On 8 April... Read more →


The European Commission presented its proposal for Euro 7 standards to reduce air pollution from new motor vehicles sold in the EU. While CO2 emission rules will drive the deployment of zero-emission vehicles, it is important to ensure that all vehicles on European roads are much cleaner, the EC said.... Read more →


EPA to develop options to reduce NOx and PM from locomotives further

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responding to petitions from the California Air Resources Board, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association to address harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from locomotives. EPA adopted its first regulation... Read more →


In an open-access report in the journal Environmental Pollution, researchers from UCLA and the University of Chicago estimate that California’s wildfire carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions from 2020 (~127 mmt CO2e ) are approximately two times higher than California’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions since 2003. Without considering future... Read more →


CARB holding public hearing on Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation; all medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales to be ZEV by 2040

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will conduct a public hearing on 27 October in Sacramento to consider the proposed Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation. The proposed regulation would set a clear end date for combustion-powered new vehicle sales in California by requiring all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales... Read more →


CARB settles with FCA for $5.6M for violations of air quality regulations on certain gasoline engines

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reached a settlement agreement with FCA US LLC (FCA) of Auburn Hills, Mich. for $5,601,090 for violations of CARB’s air quality regulations. This is the second enforcement action against FCA in the past four years. The FCA vehicles and model years (MY) involved in... Read more →


EPA trying to streamline toxic risk assessment for new mixed metal oxides with applications in batteries, EVs

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new effort under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to implement a streamlined and efficient process under the New Chemicals Program to assess risk and apply mitigation measures, as appropriate, for new chemicals with applications in batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors and renewable... Read more →


NY Governor orders regulatory action to require all LDVs sold in state to be zero-emissions by 2035

New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the State Department of Environmental Conservation to take major regulatory action that will require all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in New York State to be zero emissions by 2035. This regulatory step will be complemented by new and ongoing investments... Read more →


The California Air Resources Board today approved a statewide plan for attaining the federal health-based standard for ozone, typically experienced as smog. The 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy identifies the state’s control strategy for meeting the federal 70 parts per billion, 8-hour ozone standard over the next 15 years. The... Read more →


GM and EDF announce recommended principles on EPA emissions standards for Model Year 2027 and beyond

General Motors and Environmental Defense Fund announced a set of recommendations that seek to accelerate a zero-emissions, all-electric future for passenger vehicles in model year 2027 and beyond. The recommendations were jointly developed by GM and EDF to support the next tier of EPA clean car standards. GM and EDF... Read more →


CA lawmakers pass AB 1322; 20% usage of sustainable fuels in the aviation sector by 2030

The California legislature has passed AB 1322 (R. Rivas); the bill requires the California Air Resources Board to develop an incentives-based plan to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other alternatives to jet fuel to reduce the impact of commercial aviation on climate change. Specifically, this bill... Read more →


The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently previewed the Heavy-Duty Inspection and Maintenance Program (HD I/M), which is due to begin phasing in on 1 Jan 2023 (earlier post), at an enforcement truck event held at the Port of Los Angeles. CARB used the event, where more than 1,200 trucks... Read more →


The California Air Resources Board approved the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule. The rule establishes a year-by-year roadmap so that by 2035 100% of new cars and light trucks sold in California will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The ACC program was first... Read more →


Inflation Reduction Act mandates escalating battery critical mineral requirements to qualify for EV tax credit

The Inflation Reduction Act, which the Senate passed last week, revamps the electric vehicle Federal tax credit of $7,500 (earlier post). Among the changes are an extension of the tax credit through 2032, the removal of the unit-sales cap of 200,000 per OEM, and a new mandate for qualified cars... Read more →


Fisker finesses the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit changes with binding sales contract; “Transition Rule”

The US Senate has passed the Inflation Reduction Act, with nearly $400 billion in funding over 10 years for climate- and energy-related programs; among the myriad provisions in the 755-page bill are changes to the electric vehicle Federal tax credit of $7,500. The bill renews the credit starting in January... Read more →


CARB releases results of multi-year E15 study; multiple air quality benefits with slight reduction in fuel economy

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the results of a multiyear study evaluating exhaust emissions from the use of California Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG) that contains 15 volume percent ethanol (E15). The study was performed by a team from the University of California at Riverside (UCR) Bourns College of... Read more →


CARB launches $25M pilot program to help small trucking fleets transition to zero-emission technologies

The California Air Resources Board will launch a new pilot program that aims to help small trucking fleets make the transition to zero-emission technologies. The Innovative Small e-Fleet pilot will focus on privately owned and nonprofit trucking fleets with 20 or fewer trucks and less than $15 million in annual... Read more →


FHWA proposes rulemaking for states and municipalities to track and reduce GHG emissions

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for states and municipalities to track and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The new rule would: Establish a national framework for tracking state-by-state progress by adding a new GHG performance management measure to the... Read more →


Supreme Court curbs EPA authority to regulate CO2 from power plants

The Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) has ruled in West Virginia v. EPA that the EPA lacks the authority to set emission standards for power plants so strict as to force a shift of power generation from fossil fuels. The opinion (6-3) applied the “major questions doctrine”, which requires... Read more →


President Biden called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax for the next 90 days, through the busy summer driving season—18 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24 cents per gallon for diesel. He also called on states to suspend their state gas taxes as well or to find... Read more →


FHWA issues NPRM on standards and requirements for national EV charging network

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on proposed minimum standards and requirements for projects funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The proposed rule would establish the groundwork for states to build federally-funded charging station projects across a... Read more →


EPA announces final RFS volumes for 2021 and 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took action on Friday pursuant to a consent decree agreement that requires EPA to finalize RFS volumes for 2021 and 2022 no later than 3 June 2022 (Friday). In the final volumes, EPA adjusted the final biofuel volumes for 2021 to reflect updated data... Read more →