California Plans to Sue Trump Administration for Increasing Air Pollution Again | Carscoops
The state claims that the federal government is illegally reducing its authority.
19 hours ago
by Stephen Rivers
California pledges to initiate legal action following the Senate's decision to revoke its exemption for clean air standards.
Governor Newsom labels the action illegal and states that it poses threats to public health and the environment.
This marks the 23rd lawsuit that Attorney General Rob Bonta will file against the Trump administration.
California is gearing up for a legal battle with the federal government. On Thursday, the Republican-controlled Senate voted to revoke the state's long-held ability to establish its own vehicle emissions regulations. California's response? A strong commitment to sue the federal government once President Donald Trump enacts the legislation.
Upon hearing the news, Governor Gavin Newsom quickly condemned the action as illegal, asserting that it jeopardizes both health and environmental wellbeing. “The party of MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) is making our world smoggier,” he stated. The Senate’s decision to withdraw California’s waiver was made despite warnings from two nonpartisan governmental organizations that suggested such a move was illegal.
States’ Rights vs. Regulatory Overreach?
The GOP contended that California wielded excessive power, using it to impose rules resembling federal regulations. Several other states had allied with California in implementing similar measures, including one aimed at prohibiting new gasoline car sales by 2035.
Data indicated that these targets were overly ambitious given the current rate of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the U.S. The GOP's resolution alleviated pressure off manufacturers, oil firms, and dealers who feared they would be left with unsalable products.
California Prioritizes Health
Many in California believe the state’s regulations prioritize health and wellness above all. “We have real-world evidence that these rules are enhancing public health,” stated Dr. John Balmes from UC Berkeley. A recent study from the University of Southern California indicated a significant decline in asthma-related emergency room visits for both children and adults linked to the concentration of electric vehicles in specific areas.
Conversely, some residents view the withdrawal of the waiver as beneficial. “I think this was a good compromise that allows for ongoing discussions about EVs,” said John Pitre, CEO of Motor City Auto Club in Bakersfield, speaking to BakersfieldNow. “We can still develop them and explore future types of EVs, but without compromising people's ability to choose gas or diesel vehicles that they may prefer.”
Ultimately, only time will reveal whether California's lawsuit will restore its ability to set its own standards. This will be the 21st lawsuit the state attorney general has initiated against the Trump administration. “The federal government’s overreach is illogical,” Bonta remarked at a press conference in Sacramento. “It’s politically driven, and it comes at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of Californians.”
Credit: Governor Gavin Newsom
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California Plans to Sue Trump Administration for Increasing Air Pollution Again | Carscoops
The state claims that the federal government is unlawfully reducing its authority.