U.S. Appeals Court Upholds California’s Right To Set Emissions Targets

EPA Waiver Upheld

A U.S. appeals court in Washington D.C. has upheld the waiver granted to California by the EPA, allowing the state to set its own emissions standards. This decision comes after the waiver was reinstated by President Joe Biden in 2022, following its withdrawal by Donald Trump.

Legal Battle

The case was brought by 17 Republican-led states and factions from the oil industry, claiming that California’s ability to set its own emissions targets was unconstitutional. However, a panel of three judges dismissed these arguments, stating that California’s waiver did not grant the state powers that other states did not have.

Reinstatement of Waiver

Donald Trump had withdrawn California’s previous EPA waiver in 2019, but under President Joe Biden, the EPA reinstated the right in 2022. This decision allows California to set its own emissions and electric vehicle registration targets, paving the way for stricter regulations in the state.

Future Plans

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved plans in August 2022 to only allow zero-emissions cars to be sold in the state after 2035. The state has also set rules for automakers to sell a certain number of electric vehicles starting in 2026.

Environmental Impact

Environmental organizations like Sierra Club have praised the court’s decision, stating that it is a victory for cleaner air and cleaner cars not only in California but across the nation. The reaffirmation of California’s role in protecting residents from harmful vehicle emissions is seen as a positive step towards achieving clean air goals.

EV Market and Regulations

Despite opposition from oil interests, no automakers joined them in opposing the EPA’s decision. The EV market may have cooled, but the Biden administration remains committed to increasing EV sales. The EPA has revised its emissions standards, aiming for EVs to make up a larger percentage of vehicle sales by 2032.