b' Rules & RegulationsJorge RomanFUELING A REGULATORY RESETEnergy Marketers of America (EMA)Regulatory Associate at Bassman, Mitchell, The Three Branches Move to Rein in EV MandatesAlfano & Leiter Chtd Washington, D.C.In a sweeping shift on energy and environmental policy in the Welcome transportation sector, the three branches of government have taken meaningful steps to pull back from aggressive efforts to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. These Jorge Roman legal developments represent a broader regulatory resetone that could profoundly im- WPMA News new Rules pact vehicle manufacturing and fuel markets across the Western U.S. and beyond.& Regulations contributor On May 22, 2025, the legislative branch passed three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions overturning Clean Air Act (CAA) waivers for Californias Advanced Clean We are pleased to welcome Cars II, Advanced Clean Trucks, and Low NOx rules. President Trump signed the reso-Jorge Roman, replacing Marklutions into law on June 19, marking the most significant challenge yet to Californias Morgan who recently retired, as thelongstanding authority to regulate vehicle emissions. The following day, on June 20, the Rules & Regulations writer for theU.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled that fuel stakeholders may challenge Californias WPMA News Magazine. Advanced Clean Cars I programbolstering legal avenues to contest de facto electric vehicle (EV) mandates. Jorge is a regulatory attorney atAlso in June, the U.S. Department of Transportation through the National HighwayBassman, Mitchell, Alfano & Leiter,Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a new interpretive rule that lays the legal a boutique law firm with more thangroundwork to revise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. While it 40 years of experience in petroleumdoesnt immediately change existing standards, the rule signals the agencys intent tomarketing, energy regulation, andlimit the role of EVs in the standard-setting process for fuel efficiency. environmental issues. In his role, Jorge advises the Energy MarketersTogether, these actions display a paradigm shift away from the prior administrationsof America (EMA) on a wide rangeregulatory strategy, which relied heavily on EV adoption to meet climate goals, oftenof policy and compliance matters. at the expense of fuel availability, retail affordability, and consumer choice. HeresAs Associate Regulatory Counsel forwhat western petroleum marketers need to know. EMA, Jorge advocates on behalf of fuel distributors and retailers before key federal agencies, including theCongress Overturns Several California WaiversEnvironmental Protection AgencyThe CRA resolutions signed into law invalidate waivers issued by the U.S. Environmental (EPA) and the Department of Trans- Protection Agency (EPA) that had granted Californiaand by extension, 17 other states portation (DOT), while also support- the authority to enforce aggressive emissions rules including:ing important legislative initiatives. Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II): Would have required that 100% of new light-Were excited to have Jorge duty vehicles sold in California be zero-emission by 2035.bring his deep industry knowledge and regulatory expertise to our Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT): Required rising percentages of electric truck sales.readership. Please join us in givinghim a warm welcome! Omnibus Low NOx Rule: Imposed stricter emission standards on new diesel trucks.These rules posed major compliance and infrastructure challenges for fuel marketers and fleet operators in WPMA states like Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico, which had already moved to adopt portions of Californias rules under CAA Section 177.With the CRAs passage, the waivers are nullifiedand more importantly, EPA is barred from reissuing substantially similar rules unless explicitly authorized by Congress. This 20 www.wpma.com / Summer 2025'