California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the state will take legal action to protect its clean air regulations in response to recent illegal attacks by republicans in Congress. The US Senate voted to revoke California’s waiver to set its own clean air rules, a move that has been met with strong opposition from the state.
For over 50 years, California has been granted the authority to set its own emissions rules through a waiver that allows other states to follow suit, as long as the rules are stricter than national standards. This waiver was granted due to California’s unique air quality challenges and has been upheld over 100 times through proper rulemaking processes.
California’s clean air laws have been successful in reducing vehicle-based pollutants by 98% over the last five decades. However, challenges remain, particularly in regions like Los Angeles, which continue to struggle with smog due to various factors.
Despite industry pushback, California’s regulations have not hindered their ability to operate or sell cars in the state. In fact, the latest set of rules aims to save billions of dollars and thousands of lives by promoting electrification.
The recent actions by Congress to target California’s clean air regulations are illegal, as the waiver is not subject to the Congressional Review Act. California plans to challenge these actions in court to protect its authority to set its own rules.
Governor Newsom has condemned the republican efforts to undermine California’s clean air policies, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to public health. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also vowed to defend the state’s waivers against partisan attacks.
Support for California’s legal action has come from clean air groups like the Environmental Defense Fund, who highlight the importance of these regulations in protecting public health and the environment.
While the lawsuit has not yet been filed, California’s track record in defending its clean air regulations in court bodes well for their chances of success. The state remains committed to upholding its authority to set stringent emissions standards and protect the health of its residents.
In addition to the clean air lawsuit, republicans have also moved to cut the rooftop solar credit, potentially increasing the cost of installing solar panels. Individuals interested in going solar are encouraged to act quickly to take advantage of the current incentives before they expire. EnergySage, a trusted platform for finding reliable solar installers, can help individuals navigate the process and save money on solar installations.
