In a recent ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards, a power that was first restored by the Biden administration as part of efforts to reverse environmental rollbacks introduced during the Trump era. This decision is a significant victory for California, which has long been a leader in climate policy and has set stringent emissions standards to combat the public health and environmental impacts of vehicle emissions. The court’s ruling was a blow to a coalition of Republican-led states, including Ohio, Alabama, and Texas, who had challenged California’s authority, claiming that it would drive up costs for gas-powered vehicles in their states. However, the court found that these claims were unfounded.
California Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the court’s decision as a validation of the state’s efforts to fight pollution and address climate change, noting that the automotive industry is already transitioning towards cleaner vehicles and California is ahead of schedule in meeting its emissions goals. The ruling also comes at a critical time, with the fate of environmental regulations likely to be impacted by the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. President Biden has made ambitious pledges to increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in new car and truck sales in the U.S. by 2030, and California’s ability to set its own emissions standards plays a key role in achieving these targets.
For decades, California has had the ability to set its own vehicle emission regulations, due to the state’s unique challenges with air quality standards and the high number of cars on its roads. This authority has been repeatedly challenged by various administrations, but California has continued to push for stricter standards that are often adopted by other states as well. According to environmental law professor Ann Carlson, California’s leadership in setting emissions standards has been crucial in driving progress and preventing stagnation in reducing vehicle emissions. Major automakers, such as Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen, have already pledged to follow California’s standards, further supporting the state’s efforts to combat climate change.
Looking ahead, California is seeking a waiver from the federal government to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, as part of its broader efforts to transition towards cleaner vehicles. The state has also approved rules to phase out the sale of new fossil fuel-powered lawn mowers, large trucks, and trains powered by diesel. These actions are part of a broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, aligning with California’s leadership in environmental policy and its commitment to combatting climate change. The court’s ruling upholding California’s authority to set emissions standards reaffirms the state’s role as a pioneer in environmental regulation and sets a positive precedent for future efforts to address climate change at the state and national levels.
