Lee Zeldin, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced that the agency is working to reverse regulations from the previous administration, reconsidering nearly one trillion dollars in regulatory costs. This statement was made in a post on the EPA website.
“The American auto industry has been hamstrung by the crushing regulatory regime of the last administration,” said Lee Zeldo, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “We reconsider nearly one trillion dollars of regulatory costs. We will abide by the rule of law to protect consumer choice and the environment.”
According to the White House, the American auto industry has undergone significant regulatory changes across different administrations, setting the stage for Maryland’s adoption of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) mandates. During the Obama administration, stringent fuel economy and emissions standards were implemented under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules by the EPA, targeting an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The auto industry argued these standards were costly and technologically ambitious, placing a financial burden on manufacturers and indirectly raising consumer prices. However, environmental advocates maintained that these regulations were essential for reducing carbon emissions and dependence on oil.
Building on this regulatory history, Maryland has taken steps toward reducing transportation-related emissions. On September 18, 2023, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced its adoption of ACC II regulations, aligning with California’s standards under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. These regulations require all new passenger cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs sold in Maryland to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035. The mandate also sets interim targets starting with a 43% ZEV sales requirement for model year 2027 and gradually increasing to 100% by 2035.
The Maryland Department of Legislative Services reports that these targets could outpace current consumer demand and strain charging infrastructure development. Concerns have been raised about affordability and rural areas’ readiness to transition effectively. In response, the MDE emphasizes that the regulations offer manufacturers flexibility through credit systems and phased targets to ensure a practical transition to cleaner transportation.
Zeldin was sworn in as the 17th Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on January 29, 2025. Before this role, he served in various capacities including in the U.S. Army Reserve, New York State Senate (2011–2014), and U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 1st District (2015–2023). During his time in Congress, Zeldin championed bipartisan environmental initiatives such as the Great American Outdoors Act and Save Our Seas Act.
