California sues Trump and EPA over reclassification of Clean Air Act Waivers

Today, June 22, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block EPA's recent reclassification of four federal Clean Air Act orders (waivers) granted to California several years ago. 

EPA's reclassification of these waivers as "rules" instead of orders was made on June 12, 2006, by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. As a result, EPA then sent the "rules" to the Republican-controlled Congress for repeal under the Congressional Review Act (CRA).

The reclassification is clearly an attempt to strip California of the authority to implement emission control regulations that are stricter than federal requirements.

The four waivers targeted by EPA are:

• 2008 Stricter Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Vehicles that were originally approved under the Obama administration.
• Advanced Clean Cars I (ACC I), which was a 2012 mandate requiring automakers to produce minimum quantities of hybrid and electric vehicles.
• Reinstatement of ACC I, done in 2022 by the Biden administration after the first Trump administration revoked it.
• Small Off-Road Engine Amendment, a 2022 regulation that would phase out the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment, such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers.

“The Trump Administration is doubling down on its unlawful attack on California’s longstanding authority to address air pollution and adopt clean vehicle and equipment standards that protect our State and residents,” said Attorney General Bonta. “For fifty years, both Democratic and Republican administrations have agreed that EPA Clean Air Act waivers are not rules, and EPA's unlawful attempt to reclassify them — years after the fact — is an illegal attempt to take down these important tools. These latest illegal actions would mean more pollution, poorer air quality, more market uncertainty, and greater health risks for communities already overburdened by emissions. California will continue to fight against the Trump Administration's lawless overreach and vigorously defend our authority to protect the health and well-being of our communities and the environment.”   

“While the federal government creates chaos and gets caught up in short‑sighted political fights, California is staying focused on our commitment to uphold the right to breathe clean air,” said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez. “Using the Congressional Review Act this way is illegal. It puts the health of millions of Californians at risk by compromising our ability to meet national air quality standards and could cut off critical transportation funding that our communities and businesses rely on. California will not stand by idly — we will defend our authority, protect public health, and continue working toward a cleaner, healthier future.”

As a result of EPA's actions, Congress now has a 60-day window to vote on whether to repeal the "rules," something it would be unable to do if the original classification as orders (waivers) was maintained. Unless the D.C. Court issues an injunction to halt this effort, a simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate could nullify California's regulations.

FBI and EPA raid GKN Aerospace, Orange County D.A. begins criminal investigation related to May hazardous chemical storage tank incident

Most of you are aware of the hazardous chemical emergency incident in Garden Grove, CA last month. A failed valve on a storage tank that contained methyl methacrylate monomer caused the tank to overheat uncontrollably. Fears of a toxic explosion and spill led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of nearby residents.

GKN Aerospace, Garden Grove, CA 

Photo Credit: DigitalIceAge

As we noted in an earlier article, amid all of the news reporting, including print, radio, and TV, no one seemed to be addressing the question as to whether the company, GKN Aerospace, was complying with hazardous waste storage regulations before the incident happened.  This despite the fact that it had been previously fined almost $1 million dollars in January by the South Coast AQMD for alleged violations of its regulations.

Well, that has all changed. Today, with a search warrant issued by a federal judge on June 4, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raided GKN's Garden Grove facility. The warrant authorizes federal agents to sweep multiple buildings and chemical tanks, seize chemical samples, employee training logs, internal safety complaints, maintenance records, and company communication.

The focus of the federal probe is on whether GKN violated the provisions of Title 42, United States Code, Chapter 85, Section 7412, which deals with hazardous air pollution.

In addition, the Orange County District Attorney's office is conducting its own criminal investigation of GKN. A strict preservation letter was issued to the company directing GKN not to modify or destroy any on-site evidence.

There are also about a dozen pending negligence lawsuits from local residents and businesses against GKN and its parent company, Melrose Industries. 

EPA grants $15.7 million to address forever chemicals (PFAS) in Southern California water

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced new investments in Southern California to address water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The funding totals $15.7 million and will be split among 7 different projects. This is in addition to EPA's previously announced investment of $77.257 million to address PFAS across California.

Photo Credit: Kings County.Gov (Fair use)

PFAS are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" and are found in numerous common items. They have been known to cause cancer and fertility issues. They are sometimes found in stain resistant furniture, carpets, textiles, cosmetics, food packaging, cookware, and many other items. 

As stated by Acting EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Michael Martucci, "EPA is laser focused on ensuring that every American has safe drinking water, and we’re proud to be providing the resources to make good on that commitment here in California. This federal investment will be key to our local partners’ efforts to tackle the threat of PFAS across Southern California."

The Southern California projects receiving federal funding are:

• $2,500,0000 to La Habra Heights County Water District to construct a PFAS remediation and treatment system at five groundwater wells.
• $1,750,000 to the Orange County Water District to install an innovative ion exchange treatment system at Santa Ana’s Wells 27 and 28, to ensure treated groundwater can be safely served to residents.
• $959,752 to the City of Riverside to modify the Palmyrita Water Treatment Plant for PFAS removal and to improve drinking water infrastructure.
• $2,100,000 to the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency to construct a new treatment facility to remove PFAS contaminants from groundwater at the existing S7 well.
• $959,752 to the Santa Margarita Water District to fund a preliminary design report for the new Ranch Water Filtration Plant and support the district’s effort to provide potable reused water.
• $959,752 to the City of South Gate to treat four wells affected by PFAS contamination that supply more than 50% of the City’s total water demand.
• $6,452,972 to the Western Municipal Water District to fund rehabbing, repairing, and replacing aging sewer lines to prevent the infiltration of PFAS-contaminated groundwater into March Air Reserve Base’s sewer system.

EPA Announces $27.5 Million Grant to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water in California

On May 20, 2026, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will be granting California $27.5 million to fund efforts to reduce lead in drinking water. The funding is part of a $2.9 billion funding effort to help states and American territories locate and replace lead pipes that can contaminate drinking with toxic lead.

Photo credit: United States EPA

Jess Kramer, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water, said, "An investment in removing lead pipes is an investment in America's children and families. The Trump EPA is committed to tackling lead exposure and this $2.9 billion will help protect current and future generations across America by accelerating local efforts to find and replace toxic lead pipes. 

The size of the grants given to each state and territory may vary widely. For example, California's grant pales in comparison to, say, the state of Illinois, which will be getting almost $296 million. However, the reason for this is that the Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to base its funding decisions on the infrastructure needs of each state. Using the best-available data from service line inventories to project the number of lead service lines ensures that EPA can provide funding to the locations that need these funds the most.  

For the DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement funding, EPA used the 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment (DWINSA) to estimate lead service-line specific need by incorporating nationwide lead service line inventory data. Please see this fact sheet and webpage for more information:

 

Fact Sheet -  https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-11/fact-sheet-2025-7th-dwinsa-update.pdf  

DWINSA - https://www.epa.gov/dwsrf/epas-7th-drinking-water-infrastructure-needs-survey-and-assessment