American Lung Association Responds to U.S. EPA Approval of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II Policy

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved California’s Clean Air Act waiver authorizing implementation of the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) program, along with a separate program to reduce smog-forming emissions from new heavy-duty trucks. With EPA’s standard practice of review complete, California’s ACC II program may be implemented on schedule to ensure California and other states can better protect public health against the harms of passenger vehicle pollution. 
 
“Approving the Advanced Clean Cars II program is an important step in the ongoing progress needed to clean the nation’s air,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO for the American Lung Association. “Now that EPA has reaffirmed California’s authority and approved the waiver to authorize implementation of this program, California and the other states that have adopted it can move ahead with stronger tools to reduce air pollution. Implementing and enforcing the ACC II program will have lifesaving benefits in the states that have adopted it.” 
 
According to the American Lung Association’s 2024 “Living and Breathing in California” report, the ACC II program has the potential to save roughly 1,200 lives and generate $12.9 billion in public health benefits by delivering cleaner air in California alone. These health benefits can expand beyond California as other states have opted in to the program to better protect their residents’ health. 
 
EPA also approved California’s Clean Air Act waiver to implement the Low NOx Truck standard, which is projected to save over 2,400 lives and generate $23 billion in California health benefits over the course of implementation. 
 
Under the Clean Air Act, California has the authority to develop vehicle emission standards that are stronger than federal programs to support attainment of federal clean air standards, and EPA is required by law to approve the state-level programs that meet the legal standard. Combined, the ACC II, Low NOx Trucks and six remaining requests would generate $116 billion in public health benefits and save over 11,000 lives over the course of implementation in California alone.

“We urge EPA to approve California’s remaining outstanding waivers and authorizations for other lifesaving clean air programs, allowing states to continue their long-standing commitment to air quality and public health protection,” said Wimmer.