CARB Identifies Key Focus Areas for 2025

During the January 2025 Board Meeting, Dr. Steve Cliff, Executive Officer for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) outlined the agency’s priorities for 2025. The presentation highlighted several key areas of focus and anticipated challenges for the upcoming year.

One of their primary objectives is to defend CARB’s authority to implement and enforce critical regulations such as the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Car II, despite potential challenges from the new federal administration. CARB will continue to enforce the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation for state and local government fleets (for which a federal waiver is not required) and will rely on the ACT and Clean Truck Partnership Agreement to inform their engagement with private fleets.

Reducing methane emissions is another significant priority, with updates to landfill methane regulations planned. Budget constraints and the federal administration transition pose notable challenges, but CARB plans to prioritize impactful efforts and extend timelines where necessary.

CARB also aims to address environmental inequities using a racial equity lens and community engagement model to benefit impacted communities. Key programmatic priorities include the California Climate Investments Program, which focuses on disadvantaged and low-income communities, and the Community Air Protection Program, aimed at reducing emissions in disadvantaged areas.

CARB’s initiatives also target reducing vehicle miles traveled, supporting cap-and-trade extensions, and ensuring affordable access to transportation fuels. The agency plans to evaluate the use of E15 ethanol in gasoline and coordinate with the California Energy Commission on a transportation fuels transition plan.

To learn more about the agency’s plans for 2025, you can view the presentation, check out the webcast or review this high-level summary compiled by CRTA staff.