RI AG Peter Neronha sues Trump administration over California EV rules repeal

• On June 12, Trump signed three resolutions approved by Congress that bar California’s electric vehicle sales mandates and diesel engine rules, including its plan to end the sale of gas cars by 2035.
• Neronha joined a coalition of 10 attorneys general seeking to challenge the Trump administration and Congress’s repeal of those rules.
• Many of the plaintiff states, including Rhode Island, have been able to adopt California’s standards and programs because of its waivers.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha sued the Trump administration on June 12 for the second time in one week, this time over electric vehicles.

Neronha joined a coalition of 10 attorneys general seeking to challenge the Trump administration and Congress’ repeal of California’s 2035 electric vehicle rules, including the provision that the state end the sale of gas-only vehicles by 2035.

Neronha was joined by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.  

What did Trump do with California's electric vehicle rules?

On June 12, Trump signed three resolutions approved by Congress that repeal the approval of California’s electric vehicle sales mandates and diesel engine rules, including its plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035.

"We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once and for all," Trump said.

The action comes at the same time that Trump has also been battling California on immigration enforcement.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state's attorney general responded immediately.

"Trump's all-out assault on California continues," Newsom said. "And this time, he's destroying our clean air and America's global competitiveness in the process."

What do the AGs say?

The attorneys general say that Congress and Trump do not have the right to repeal the Biden-era EPA waivers that allowed California to pass those mandates. 

"The federal government carried out an illegal playbook designed to evade lawful procedures that might prevent the 'take down' of disfavored California laws," said the lawsuit.

They said that the move violates several federal statutes, including the Congressional Review Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

How does it affect Rhode Island?

Many of the plaintiff states, including Rhode Island, have been able to adopt California’s standards and programs because of its waivers.

According to the lawsuit, Rhode Island has adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Omnibus regulations, all developed and promulgated by California.

Vehicle emissions contribute to pollution linked to premature death from respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems and cancer, according to a press release from the Massachusetts attorney general’s office, and electric vehicles produce less of these carbon dioxide emissions.

Contributing: Reuters