California is launching a series of public engagement sessions across the state to gather input on accelerating the adoption of zero-emission vehicles, amid a coordinated push by the federal government to revoke the state’s longstanding clean-air authority.
The California Air Resources Board, the Energy Commission, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development and the State Transportation Agency announced three in-person events and one virtual session to solicit public feedback on ZEV deployment, infrastructure and policy strategies. The sessions are in response to a June executive order by Governor Gavin Newsom calling for new agency recommendations to spur ZEV adoption by August.
The executive order follows recent federal actions to roll back California’s authority under the Clean Air Act. In response, CARB Chair Liane Randolph said in a video statement that despite illegal federal rollbacks, CARB is doubling down on clean air and ZEV advancement.
Public Session Schedule
- Fresno: July 21, 1–5 p.m. – San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
- Sacramento: July 23, 9 a.m. –1 p.m. – CalEPA Headquarters
- Long Beach: July 31, 1–5 p.m. – Civic Center Chambers
- Virtual session: Date and time to be announced
The listening sessions aim to engage local governments, the auto and trucking industries, transit and school bus operators, community-based organizations, tribal communities, utilities, academics and the general public.
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California’s push for ZEVs stems from both climate and public health goals. The state is home to five of the 10 most polluted cities in the U.S., and communities in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast suffer from the worst air quality in the nation, with 10 million people living in communities in severe nonattainment of federal air quality standards.
CARB notes that efforts to reduce vehicle emissions over the past 50 years “saved $250 billion in health costs through reduced illness including reducing diesel-related cancer risk nearly 80%.” President Donald Trump’s “illegal rollback” of state regulations would cost California $45 billion in health care costs, according to the agency. It also projects that the clean air mandates would provide $91 billion in cumulative net relief and economic benefits through 2040.
Feedback collected during the sessions will inform the agencies’ final recommendations, which will be submitted to the governor’s office later this summer.
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