ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland House Republicans have praised the Trump administration’s decision to send California’s Clean Cars waiver to Congress for potential repeal, a move that could impact Maryland’s future vehicle emissions standards.
The waiver, granted under the Biden administration, allows California to impose stricter emissions rules than federal standards. Since Maryland’s regulations are tied to California’s, revoking the waiver could roll back the state’s planned ban on gas-powered vehicle sales by 2035.
“This is an important first step in restoring logic and balance to our state’s emission standards,” said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy. “The Californication of Maryland that began decades ago must end.”
Maryland first adopted California’s emissions standards in 2007, and Governor Wes Moore expanded the policy in 2023 by aligning the state with California’s Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks rules. If left in place, the regulations would require all new passenger vehicles sold in Maryland by 2035 to be zero-emission.
House Chief Deputy Whip Wayne Hartman criticized the policy, calling it an “unconscionable decision to surrender our duty to decide important Maryland policies to unelected bureaucrats in California.”
Republican lawmakers had sent a letter to the Trump administration in January requesting the waiver’s repeal. On Friday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin sent the waiver to Congress for review under the Congressional Review Act.
“This Congressional review is an important step in finally seeing these regulations repealed,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel.
The move sets up a battle over Maryland’s future vehicle emissions policies, with Democrats expected to fight efforts to overturn the state’s commitment to stricter environmental standards.