Free Republic

WASHINGTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday granted two requests from California to enforce strict standards for vehicle emissions, including a rule aimed at banning sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the state by 2035. The incoming Trump administration is likely to try to reverse the action. The California rule is stricter than a federal rule adopted this year that tightens emissions standards but does not require sales of electric vehicles.

President Joe Biden is set to allow California to ban the production of new gas-powered vehicles after 2035. California and 11 other states were awaiting permission for the ambitious measure, which Biden is set to give in one of his final acts during the lame-duck period, two people briefed on the matter told the New York Times. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled his opposition to the measure, setting up a legal battle for the second administration. One-quarter of vehicles bought in California are electric, the highest in any state, yet still far behind the aimed-for 100% in a decade....