CARB drops punitive ACF mandates, agrees not to enforce retroactive penalties; AmFree heralds ruling as a “landmark victory” and “nail in the coffin of California’s crazy attempt to eliminate traditional trucking sector.”
Washington D.C. – Today, the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber) declared victory in their legal battle against California’s electric vehicle fleets mandate. Implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) starting in 2024, the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation forced California’s medium- and heavy-duty trucking sector to transition to so-called “zero-emission” vehicles (ZEVs) by 2045.
On May 30, CARB, along with their fellow defendant in the case, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, agreed to drop the ACF mandates, at which point AmFree agreed to dismiss the complaint, which was filed in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in April 2024. CARB also agreed not to enforce their rules retroactively.
Read the signed legal stipulation here.
“This ruling is the final nail in the coffin of California’s crazy attempt to eliminate the traditional trucking sector, and yet another example of Gavin Newsom’s complete failure in California,” said Gentry Collins, CEO of the AmFree Chamber. “Even after the American public resoundingly voted to steer the country in a new direction last November, liberal states like California are hellbent on implementing a green agenda that consumers don’t want and technology cannot support. AmFree will remain vigilant holding blue states to account for their misguided crusade that defies common sense and flies in the face of consumer choice and freedom, and ensuring that completely failed politicians like Gavin Newsom eager to run away from their liberal records are reminded of the disastrous policies that occurred on their watch.”
“AmFree Chamber’s leadership has resulted in a court decision that will help ensure new common sense clean truck regulations that are critically important for the future of California’s economy,” added Rob Lapsley, President of the California Business Roundtable and a member of the AmFree Board of Directors.
“Here in Alabama and also across America, we stand up every day for our members to defend free enterprise and stand against failed policies from states like California,” added Mark Colson, President & CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association and member of the AmFree Advisory Council. “We’re proud to unite with AmFree and our allies on the ground in California to accomplish shared goals and get our economy roaring again.”
The ruling comes on the heels of the U.S. Senate passing three U.S. House-passed resolutions using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to roll back Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waivers that effectively let California set its own emission standards.
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About AmFree Chamber
The American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (AmFree Chamber) is a trade organization representing American businesses of all sizes. It is dedicated to advancing the principles of free enterprise, free markets, limited government, and American leadership globally. AmFree Chamber is chaired by the Honorable Terry E. Branstad, who previously served as Ambassador to China and was the longest serving Governor in American history.
AmFree Chamber has members representing dozens of industries and from across the United States. Since its founding in 2022, AmFree Chamber has aggressively represented its members’ interests through legislative outreach, regulatory comments, and judicial briefing.