Clean Air Watch
UPDATE: U.S. House to Vote on Imported Material Exception for EV Chargers
UPDATE: U.S. House to Vote on Imported Material Exception for EV Chargers The United States House of Representatives plans to vote this week on a resolution that would nullify a rule – finalized by the Federal Highway Administration – that would temporarily waive certain domestic content requirements for electric vehicle (EV) chargers funded through the…
Read MoreU.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws
U.S. Senators Raise Alarm on Alleged Tesla Safety Flaws United States Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have sent a letter to Elon Musk following a report from Reuters on Tesla vehicles’ safety flaws. In their letter, the Senators note that, “[t]he report details complaints about suspension connection points, including fore and aft…
Read MoreProgress Towards Building EV Charging Network using Federal Dollars Varies by State
Progress Towards Building EV Charging Network using Federal Dollars Varies by State The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 allocated $7.5 billion towards building a national EV charging network. Each state assumes responsibility for spending those funds and implementation oversight. As expected, the current status this endeavor varies by state. No EV charger…
Read MoreNJ Approves Zero Emission Vehicles Regulation
NJ Approves Zero Emission Vehicles Regulation New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) announced last week that the state will move forward with adopting California’s Advanced Clean Cars Rule II. Beginning in 2027, the regulation will require vehicle manufacturers to produce fleets comprised of a certain percentage of electric vehicles, with that percentage growing each year.…
Read MoreEPA Excludes MVAC Fluid Recovery from Final Ruling on Hydrofluorocarbons
EPA Excludes MVAC Fluid Recovery from Final Ruling on Hydrofluorocarbons Yesterday, the EPA released its final rulemaking on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): Management of Certain Hydrofluorocarbons and Substitutes under Section (h) of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. Notably for automotive repairers, the regulation excludes any mention of the recovery/recycling/reclamation of MVAC…
Read MoreU.S. House Passes Bill to Prevent Combustion Engine Bans
U.S. House Passes Bill to Prevent Combustion Engine Bans Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would block states from limiting sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (H.R. 1435) passed 222-190, with eight Democrats voting in favor. The bill is not expected to progress…
Read MoreEPA Clarifies Agricultural Equipment Repair Rights
EPA Clarifies Agricultural Equipment Repair Rights The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to a request from the National Farmers Union (NFU) for clarity on their right to repair agricultural equipment. In its reply letter to the NFU, the EPA confirmed that the Clean Air Act of 1990 prohibits agricultural equipment manufacturers from…
Read MoreEPA Official Testifies before House subcommittee on Proposed Emissions Regulations
EPA Official Testifies before House subcommittee on Proposed Emissions Regulations The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs heard testimony earlier today from Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator in the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). Members of the Republican majority expressed concerns with…
Read MoreUS House Republicans Send Letter to EPA Opposing Proposed Emissions Regulation
US House Republicans Send Letter to EPA Opposing Proposed Emissions Regulation Today, the EPA received a letter signed by 151 Republican members of the U.S. House. The letter urged the EPA to rescind its proposed rule that would create more stringent tail pipe emissions regulations for light and medium-heavy vehicles. If enacted, the rule would…
Read MoreCalifornia Approves Rule Phasing Out Gas-Powered Trucks and Buses
California Approves Rule Phasing Out Gas-Powered Trucks and Buses The California Air Resources Board (CARB) on Friday approved new regulations that will eventually remove all gas-powered trucks and buses from the state’s roads. In keeping with California’s zero-emission goals, the Advanced Clean Fleets rule will end sales of medium and heavy-duty combustion trucks in California…
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