By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Twenty-two states asked a U.S. appels court to accept new federal regulations to lower vehicle emission by 28.3% to 2026. Other states and participants in the industry had challenged these proposed changes.

The filing https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/EPA%20GHG%20Standrds%20-%20Motion%20to%20Intervene.pdf, led by the state of California, urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to uphold the Environmental Protection Agency’s new rules, which take effect in September. They reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to roll back car pollution reductions and speed up the U.S. move to electric vehicles (EVs).

“We are at an important crossroads. Should we continue to accept the status-quo or take action and save our planet? Rob Bonta, California Attorney General.

In December, President Joe Biden announced that the Trump-era actions easing restrictions imposed under the presidency Barack Obama were repealed by his administration.

Some ethanol producers claimed that the new EPA rules have “effectively mandated production and sale” of electric vehicles over those powered by internal combustion engines.

The EPA is also working to reinstate California’s legal power to establish strict vehicle emission standards and zero-emission vehicle requirements. Trump overturns a 2013 waiver to California for the purpose of setting vehicle rules.

California Air Resources Board (CARB), which announced Tuesday that it intends to substantially increase its EV requirements before 2030, as part of a state plan to end the sales of light-duty gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035, said the board.

Stanley Young, a CARB spokesperson, stated that the proposal was still being reviewed by staff. It aims for 68% ZEVs to be used in new cars in 2030, 76% and 100% in 2031.

This proposal is more than the December draft, which environmental groups criticized Monday for being insufficient.

Nick Conger, EPA spokesperson, stated Monday that the agency was “working to complete a decision regarding the California waiver” and anticipates issuing a decision within the next few days.