California
Ending Biden’s EV Mandate Requires Ending California’s Waiver
President Trump has repeatedly promised to end what he terms the “Biden electric vehicle mandate.” In a day-one executive order, Trump directed that this EV mandate should end. This action was only the beginning, not the end, of rolling back the Biden administration’s de facto EV mandate. In order to end this mandate, three major regulatory actions must be revised or rejected: the tailpipe emissions standards from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards from EPA and the Department of Transportation (DoT), and the state of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, granted a waiver from Clean Air Act preemption during Biden’s lame duck period. Of these three prongs, the California program subject to the waiver is the most important as it takes actions (such as banning internal combustion vehicles) that no federal agency has been granted the power to take, and because both the tailpipe mandate and the CAFE mandate rely on the California regulation for legal support.
While none of these three prongs alone constitute an electric vehicle mandate, the interaction of all three creates a de facto EV mandate by attempting to regulate non-battery-electric vehicles out of the market. The tailpipe emissions standards from EPA do this by setting emissions standards so low that only full battery-electric vehicles can qualify; not even highly efficient hybrids can meet the tailpipe mandate. The CAFE mandate does this by setting fleetwide fuel efficiency requirements so high that as many as two-thirds of the cars automakers manufacture will have to be electric.
California’s program is not restricted to California. Under the Clean Air Act, if California receives a waiver, other states can follow California’s regulations, and indeed, many have. In fact, thus far, 18 states have followed some parts of California’s EV mandate. California has also used this provision to bully car manufacturers into following and defending California’s regulations.
If both of these federal mandates sound excessive and unreasonable, that’s because they are. Both the tailpipe and CAFE regulations likely exceed the agencies’ statutory authority. Neither EPA nor DoT has the authority to mandate EVs, which is why these standards are presented as technology-neutral. These agencies also have requirements about technological feasibility and compliance costs that must be part of their regulatory considerations. Both these regulations face strong legal challenges, though the Trump administration is also moving to review and replace the regulations.
The major regulatory defense offered by EPA and DoT to their excessive mandates is to rely on the third prong, California’s ACC II program, the main feature of which is a ban on the sale of internal combustion engines. The agencies assume that this regulation takes effect, so California and the more than a dozen states who choose to follow their regulations all mandate electric vehicles. With these mandates already in place forcing the adoption of EVs, the federal agencies claim that the cost and feasibility of compliance with their mandates will be small because automakers and the public will already be forced to reach those levels by the state mandates.
So, while there are indeed three components to the “Biden EV mandate,” the California waiver program is the foundation upon which it all stands. The only way that the tailpipe and CAFE mandates are even remotely defensible is if California’s EV mandate is in effect. The Biden administration didn’t have the power to mandate EVs directly, but by waiving California’s program, they could achieve the same result through the back door.
All this means that the key element that must be tackled to end the Biden de facto EV mandate is the revocation or rejection of the waiver for the California EV mandate. There is a potential regulatory process for withdrawing a waiver that has already been granted, though there are legal questions surrounding that process, and it would take an extended period to get through administrative procedure hurdles. Congressional action to disapprove of the granting of the waiver through the Congressional Review Act process, however, would immediately halt the implementation of the California program and thus fatally undermine the entire structure of the Biden EV mandate. Either way, the only way to end the Biden EV mandate is to revoke California’s waiver.
Long Beach city officials have confirmed California’s first human case of West Nile virus in 2026.
In a news release shared Friday, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services said that the person was hospitalized with “neuroinvasive illness” and has since been recovering at home.
“While there have been WNV positive mosquito detections in California, including in Long Beach, this is the first symptomatic case reported in California for the 2026 season,” the release said.
Health officials said that West Nile virus typically spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. While most people who get infected with WNV have no symptoms, one in 150 may develop more serious illnesses like brain inflammation, paralysis or death. Typical symptoms include fever, rash, body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting.
They advised anyone exhibiting such symptoms to seek immediate medical care.
“The risk of WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases increases during hot weather, typically from June to October,” officials said. “People who are over 55 years old or have chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.”
Acting Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged residents to take several precautions to prevent infection, including:
- using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites
- wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outdoors during dawn or dusk
- install or repair window screens
- remove standing water around their homes
- report increased mosquito activity so health officials can take action
People seeking further information or who wish to know more about how to protect themselves from mosquito bites was asked to contact the city’s mosquito hotline at 562-570-4132.
Health officials said the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-
borne diseases increases during hot weather, typically from June to October.
WNV spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito.
Symptoms of may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and
headaches. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may
develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation, paralysis or death.
Those who are over 55 years old or have chronic health conditions are
at higher risk for severe illness. People with these symptoms should seek
immediate medical care.
There is no vaccine or treatment for West Nile virus.
Acting City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged residents to take the
following precautions:
— Dump and drain standing water around your home.
— Prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellent with EPA-
registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon
eucalyptus before going outside.
— Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outside
during dawn and dusk.
— Install or repair door and window screens.
Additional information about mosquito prevention and West Nile virus
is available at longbeach.gov/mosquitoes.
California GOP delegates Roxanne Hoge and Elizabeth Barcohana join Trace Gallagher to discuss multiple issues impacting California.
California GOP delegates Roxanne Hoge and Elizabeth Barcohana dissect the state’s pressing issues with Trace Gallagher. They criticize the SF Giants’ ‘Pride Night’ controversy and players’ right to religious expression. The delegates also discuss Los Angeles’s economic decline and Sacramento’s expensive homeless campsite, highlighting concerns about over-regulation and social issues. They conclude by addressing California’s large-scale Medicaid fraud, suggesting a lack of accountability.
Oakdale’s first Pride event is moving forward this weekend after organizers changed venues following pushback over its original location and a planned drag performance.
Some residents pushed back over the event’s original location at Dorada Park and a planned drag performance.
“I also understand staff has issued a permit for a so-called Pride event,” one speaker said during the latest City Council meeting.
Another speaker raised concerns about the event being advertised as open to all ages, including children, and having a drag queen host.
After the public pushback, organizers moved the event indoors to the Bianchi Center.
“It was a huge upgrade to be able to provide a more accessible space in the heart of Oakdale,” said Ryan Hall, president of CalPride.
Hall said the idea to bring Pride to the city did not come from outside Oakdale, it came from people living there.
“That’s my place as a mom of rainbow kids, absolutely,” said Elizabeth May, owner of Sisters Coffee.
May’s coffee shop hosts a monthly LGBTQ+ social.
“I had a young man walk in here and say, ‘We don’t have anywhere to have a social here for LGBTQ.’ I said, ‘Heck yes,’” May said.
Still, the backlash has left parents like May concerned.
“How does it feel? Scary. I’m excited, but as a mom of a kid in the community, I’m nervous for them,” May said.
May said the venue change helped ease some of the tension.
“The different venue made a win-win situation for everyone. I was very proud of the kids for making that hard decision,” May said.
For organizers, the drag performance is part of the celebration.
“Enjoy some line dancing, enjoy some live music, enjoy the drag show, and then also enjoy community members and our local businesses, our local artists and partner organizations,” Hall said.
Oakdale Pride is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry is free.
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