The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to California’s climate agenda in a 7-2 decision, allowing energy producers to move forward with a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case challenges California’s aggressive green energy mandates, particularly its plan to make electric vehicles dominant by 2035. Even one liberal justice sided with the conservative majority, signaling bipartisan concern over the legality of California’s regulations.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, stated that the EPA cannot shield California’s mandates from legal scrutiny by denying standing to those directly affected. He emphasized that businesses should not be barred from court when facing potentially unlawful regulations. The ruling highlighted the EPA’s inconsistent legal stance regarding the Clean Air Act and California’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles.
At the center of the lawsuit is California’s 2012 request for EPA approval to enforce new rules on automakers—rules requiring them to both limit emissions and manufacture a fixed percentage of electric vehicles. Critics argue these regulations overstep federal law and distort the intent of the Clean Air Act. Kavanaugh’s opinion signals that such sweeping mandates may not survive legal scrutiny.
Chet Thompson, CEO of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, praised the decision, stating that California’s electric vehicle requirements are “unlawful and bad for our country.” He argued that Congress never gave the state power to ban gas-powered cars or mandate EVs through misinterpreted statutes.
The ruling came just after another setback for Governor Gavin Newsom. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision and allowed President Trump to retain control over California’s National Guard. The federal deployment had been challenged on constitutional grounds.
Trump celebrated the appeals court’s decision, crediting the National Guard’s presence in Los Angeles with maintaining order amid rising unrest and protests.
