The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the leadership of the Biden administration, has approved California's proposed ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars.

The Associated Press reports that the EPA granted this approval on Wednesday.

This is one of many moves that the Biden administration is making - pushing forward leftist policies - before President-Elect Donald Trump enters into the White House.

The belief is that this victory for California will be short-lived.

Here's what is going on:

California, under the leadership of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), is looking, as part of the political left's climate change agenda, to enforce stricter standards for vehicle emissions.

Reuters reports:

EPA Administrator Michael Regan granted a waiver under the Clean Air Act to California to implement its plan -- first announced in 2020 -- to require that by 2035 at least 80% of new cars sold be electric and up to 20% plug-in hybrid models. California's rules have been adopted by 11 other states, including New York, Massachusetts and Oregon.

That's not all.

The outlet continues:

The EPA also granted another waiver for California's “Omnibus” low-NOx, or low-nitrogen oxide, regulation for heavy-duty highway and off-road vehicles and engines, while six others are pending.

This is being hailed as a major victory for the left and their environmental agenda.

Celebrate while you can

Biden's EPA has put out a statement on the matter, celebrating the move.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said:

California has longstanding authority to request waivers from EPA to protect its residents from dangerous air pollution coming from mobile sources like cars and trucks. Today’s actions follow through on EPA’s commitment to partner with states to reduce emissions and act on the threat of climate change.

It does not appear, though, that Democrats will be able to celebrate for too long. It is expected that, once Trump enters the Oval Office - in Mid-January 2025 - he will reverse the EPA's approval of these policies. Part of the reason why this is expected is because Trump has done this before.

Per the Associated Press:

Even so, the waiver is likely to be short-lived. President-elect Donald Trump has said he will move to revoke all California waivers as part of an industry-friendly approach that includes boosting production of fossil fuels and repealing key parts of a landmark 2022 climate law. Trump rescinded California’s authority on emissions in 2019, only to be reversed three years later by the Biden EPA, which restored the state’s authority in 2022.

We'll have to see if Trump takes a similar course of action once he enters the White House.