Trump Effect is Alive in California, Too

There is no one definition of the Trump effect, but everyone pretty much knows what it means: the changes that people and organizations unilaterally make in anticipation--and now the reality--of Donald Trump becoming President in 2025.

Despite being the leading state of the new Trump resistance, even California is abandoning battles that it can't win. [bold added]

(Pnoto by Eric Gay/AP)

The California Air Resources Board announced last week that it’s continuing to improve the state’s air quality and reduce harmful pollutants with other programs but has withdrawn four requests it had submitted to the EPA, including one to phase out sales of new diesel-powered semitrailers and buses by 2036 in California.

...The board was anticipating pushback from the Trump administration for federal approval for stricter emissions regulations around semitrailers and locomotives. It also withdrew a rule that would have prevented locomotive engines older than 23 years from operating starting in 2030 while promoting zero-emissions technology to transport freight.

Because California is by far the most populous and wealthiest (measured by GDP) State in the Union, it can "export" its Progressive values by forcing businesses to comply with its requirements. For example, by forcing California diesel-truck operators to convert to all-electric, these operators are very likely to use these EV's in other states, because it's too expensive to maintain and operate two different kinds of equipment.

A Biden EPA would have agreed with the export of green values beyond California's borders, and a Trump EPA would not. California backed off without, as the saying goes, any shots being fired. There's a new sheriff in town.