API Urges Incoming Administration to Rescind EPA Approval of California’s Gas-Powered Car Ban

WASHINGTON, December 18, 2024 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) released the following statement today from API Vice President of Downstream Policy Will Hupman in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) granting California’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver for the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) Light- and Medium-Duty Vehicle Standards.

“Governor Newsom’s extreme energy policies have already raised costs and limited choices for Californians, and granting this waiver will only expand this misguided approach that American voters have clearly rejected. Allowing California and 12 other states to outright ban new gas-powered vehicles and traditional hybrids deepens our dependence on China at the expense of the American people, and we urge the incoming administration to swiftly change course.”

In comments previously submitted to EPA, API outlined major flaws with several aspects of California’s request for a waiver, including its narrow focus on a singular technology to achieve compliance and failure to consider the benefits of a range of technologies that can better meet the needs of the public on a faster timeline.

Earlier this month, API released a new policy roadmap for the incoming Trump administration and next Congress to secure American energy leadership and protect consumer choice, including repealing EPA’s tailpipe rules and denying or rescinding the agency’s ACC II waiver. 

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports nearly 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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