The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a major setback to California\u2019s climate policies in a 7-2 decision that allows energy producers to move forward with a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case targets California’s aggressive push to phase out gas-powered vehicles by 2035 under Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s carbon neutrality plan. The court’s ruling asserts that California\u2019s mandates may be unlawful and that affected fuel producers have the right to challenge them in court.<\/p>\n
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, stated that federal agencies like the EPA cannot shield controversial regulations from legal scrutiny. He noted that the EPA\u2019s legal stance has shifted over time, weakening its defense of California\u2019s rules. According to Kavanaugh, California\u2019s policies effectively compel automakers to produce more electric vehicles and limit greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles, all under questionable statutory authority.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit stems from California\u2019s 2012 request for EPA approval of its climate regulations. The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, led by Chet Thompson, is spearheading the legal challenge. Thompson praised the decision, arguing that Congress never granted California the power to impose such sweeping environmental mandates and that these policies are both unlawful and harmful to the national economy.<\/p>\n
This Supreme Court decision follows another legal blow to California. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overruled a lower court and sided with President Donald Trump, allowing him to retain control of the California National Guard. The Guard had been deployed in Los Angeles to protect federal assets and assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during civil unrest.<\/p>\n
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer had previously ruled that Trump\u2019s federalization of the Guard was unconstitutional under the Tenth Amendment. However, the appeals court issued a stay on that ruling, allowing Trump\u2019s actions to stand for now.<\/p>\n
President Trump celebrated both legal victories, viewing them as triumphs over what he calls radical overreach by California officials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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