News Summary

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to legally challenge a Senate vote aimed at reversing a waiver from the EPA, which allows California to set its own emissions standards. This controversial vote seeks to eliminate the state’s rule banning the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Newsom labels the Senate’s action as ‘illegal’, igniting a legal battle that raises concerns about air quality and public health across the U.S., while also impacting California’s ambitious environmental goals.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to challenge the recent Senate vote that seeks to reverse a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allowing California to establish its own emissions standards. This Senate vote, which passed 51-44, aims to eliminate California’s rule that bans the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Newsom characterized the decision as “illegal” and confirmed his intention to take the matter to court.

The legislation in question was met with strong opposition from Democratic leaders, who criticized the Senate’s actions as a “nuclear” option and deemed it an unprecedented use of legislative power. The decision to revoke California’s emissions standards has broader implications, as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Senate parliamentarian determined that EPA waivers are not subject to the Congressional Review Act, raising significant legal questions regarding the rescission.

Enforcement of California’s emissions standards, which have been historically stricter than federal regulations, has been crucial in setting environmental policy not only in California but also influencing other states. Currently, eleven states and Washington D.C. have adopted California’s rigorous standards, with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) having received over 75 waivers since the 1960s to implement these stricter regulations.

The Senate’s recent resolution to overturn California’s rules followed a similar approval in the House and is expected to receive President Trump’s signature. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has argued that California’s rules impose a nationwide electric vehicle mandate that he regards as costly and unrealistic. Opponents of the Senate decision, including Senators Alex Padilla, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Chuck Schumer, claim it could negatively affect air quality and public health.

California’s proactive emissions policies have contributed to significant reductions in air pollution, particularly benefiting communities of color disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Newsom emphasized that the potential revocation of these standards could undermine California’s economic competitiveness and threaten decades of progress in public health.

The decision to eliminate California’s emissions standards raises concerns that the U.S. may see increased pollution levels nationwide, as CARB’s initiatives have historically resulted in better air quality. The CARB spokesperson has reiterated that their mission to protect public health will remain unchanged despite the legislative shift.

While the Congressional Review Act does allow Congress to rescind federal regulations, the revival of interest in California’s emissions waivers prompts discussions about the future of environmental policymaking. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed worry about unintended consequences on jobs in the automotive sector stemming from California’s stringent climate policies.

Additionally, California aims to uphold its ambitious goal of banning the sale of all new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, which has garnered support from key auto manufacturers, including Tesla. Past attempts by the Trump administration to revoke California’s clean air standards faced legal challenges, preventing those efforts from materializing.

The Senate’s recent actions utilized a narrow exception to the filibuster to expedite the repeal of California’s emissions mandates. As this legal battle unfolds, the implications of this high-profile policy clash will be closely monitored both within California and across the nation.