Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
How Trump could topple California’s clean truck dream
In an aerial view, trucks line up to leave a shipping terminal at a port of entry.
(
Justin Sullivan
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
President Donald Trump’s cuts to federal funding and attacks on state climate policy that have already caused California to withdraw one of its most ambitious pollution rules are raising questions about whether the state can propel its transition to zero-emission trucks forward on its own.
Why it matters: Trucks are an outsize source of pollution for California and one of the thorniest pieces of the state’s grand experiment to show the world what a net-zero economy looks like. In contrast with passenger vehicles, where a robust market for electric cars already exists, California’s market for electric trucks is just in its infancy and more vulnerable to federal threats.
What Trump is taking away: A week before Trump took office, California withdrew its request for a federal waiver to implement its clean truck purchasing mandate, citing Trump’s opposition and the fact that former-President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency ran out of time to act on the rule. Trump is also seeking to block government spending, with a special target on Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, throwing billions of federal dollars for truck charging into question.
Support for LAist comes from
Regulators look on the bright side: Officials say the state still has regulatory and financial tools to meet its goal of 100 percent zero-emission port trucks by 2035 and 100 percent clean trucks across the state by 2045. Funds are available through local air districts, state agencies, California’s cap-and-trade program and its transportation fuels emissions trading program.
Others aren’t sure: Some private fleet owners say the loss of California’s zero-emission truck purchasing mandate will delay the transition. Under that rule, companies were supposed to stop registering new diesel trucks with the ports beginning in 2024.
For more, read the full story in POLITICO's California Climate newsletter.
This story is published in partnership with POLITICO.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist