Supreme Court to Review Appeal on California’s Emissions Standards
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Friday its decision to review an appeal concerning California’s vehicle emissions standards. This appeal, backed by business interests, could potentially ease the process of contesting federal regulations.
Fuel producers are challenging a waiver granted to California by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2022, under President Joe Biden’s administration. This waiver permits California to enforce stricter emissions limits than those mandated nationally. The Supreme Court, however, will not evaluate the waiver itself but will determine if the fuel producers have the legal standing to contest it.
The case, set for argument in the spring, arrives at a time when the Trump administration is expected to adopt a more industry-supportive stance. President-elect Donald Trump has committed to enhancing fossil fuel production and dismantling key components of the 2022 climate legislation.
The Washington federal appeals court previously ruled that the fuel producers did not demonstrate they were directly affected by the EPA waiver, as it primarily impacts vehicle manufacturers. Major car manufacturers like Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen are already complying with California’s standards, according to court documents.
Despite this, the fuel producers contend that the appellate decision could hinder future challenges to administrative actions. Their lawyers argue that, based on “common sense,” if the waiver were removed, automakers might produce fewer electric vehicles, thereby increasing demand for fuel.
The EPA’s waiver was a part of the Biden administration’s strategy to reverse environmental policy changes made during Trump’s first term and to restore California’s ability to impose stricter emissions regulations.
California’s authority under the federal Clean Air Act enables it to set higher standards, influencing automakers to develop more fuel-efficient vehicles to reduce harmful emissions. In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed both the fuel producers’ lawsuit and a related one involving Ohio and other Republican-led states. The Supreme Court has not acted on the states’ appeal.
The current legal battle traces back to a 2019 move by the Trump administration to revoke California’s authority, a decision reversed by the Biden administration in 2022. Meanwhile, the EPA is reviewing a separate request from California for a waiver to implement a rule banning the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. This rule is stricter than a federal regulation introduced this year, which only tightens emissions standards without mandating electric vehicle sales.
If the new waiver is approved, it might face revocation efforts from the incoming Trump administration, potentially leading to further legal disputes. An EPA spokesperson stated that the agency is diligently reviewing California’s waiver requests to ensure compliance with legal standards, adding that there are no updates on the timing as yet.
In recent years, the conservative-majority Supreme Court has imposed limitations on the EPA’s regulatory authority. Notably, in 2022, the justices curtailed the agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions from power plants with a significant decision. The court also halted the EPA’s “good neighbor” air pollution rule in June and overturned a longstanding decision known as Chevron, complicating the establishment and maintenance of environmental regulations.
However, the court has also maintained certain environmental regulations aimed at curbing pollution from coal-fired power plants while ongoing legal challenges are resolved.
