California has decided to abandon its groundbreaking regulations phasing out diesel trucks and requiring cleaner locomotives because the Trump administration was unlikely to allow the state to implement them.

In addition, the state withdrew two other measures partial withdrawal of rules regulating emissions from commercial harbor craft and refrigeration unit engines that are hauled by trucks and rail cars.

The withdrawal comes after the Biden administration recently approved the California Air Resources Board mandate, phasing out new gas powered cars by 2035, but had not yet approved waivers for four standards that the state adopted.

Trucking companies had already sued the state to stop the diesel fleets rule saying electric and hydrogen big rigs are not practical for many uses and that it would destroy the state's economy.

Some companies, including Pepsi, have already rolled out electric and hydrogen fleets.

Sales of zero emission trucks have increased despite no deadlines having kicked in.

Low income, disadvantaged communities of color near ports, freeways, and warehouses, especially in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, have long complained about noxious and dangerous diesel exhaust California air quality officials have been waiting for years for the Biden administration's EPA to approve the last four rules, hoping that time wouldn't run out.

The EPA failed to act in time.

California may have to suspend any future rulemaking for vehicles over the next four years of the Trump administration and rely instead on voluntary agreements with engine manufacturers, trucking companies, railroads, and other industries.

Air Resources Board Chair, Liane Randolph, said in a statement, while we are disappointed that US EPA was unable to act on all the requests in time, the withdrawal is an important step given the uncertainty presented by the incoming administration that previously attacked California's programs to protect public health and the climate, and has said will continue to oppose those programs.

With CalMatters, I'm Alejandro Lazo.