California's top environmental regulator to retire amid Trump battles

16/9/2025 12:31

California's top environmental regulator, who has helped lead the state's effort to ban the sale of gasoline-only vehicles starting in 2035, will retire on September 30 as the state spars with President Donald Trump over climate change rules.



Governor Gavin Newsom said California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph, a long-time environmental official, will be replaced by Lauren Sanchez, who is senior adviser to the governor for climate.



The state's environmental plans have come under fire from President Donald Trump and California filed suit on a number of fronts over federal efforts to loosen climate change regulations. In June, he signed three resolutions approved by lawmakers barring California's electric vehicle sales mandates and diesel engine rules.



Randolph oversaw adoption of a plan laying out California's path to carbon neutrality by 2045, cutting air pollution and efforts to boost green vehicles. EVs now account for about a quarter of all of the state's new car sales.