Summary

  • The US House of Representatives has voted to revoke California’s ability to set stricter vehicle emissions standards.
  • The move is an attempt to halt one of the US’s most ambitious state-level climate plans.
  • However, it is not clear the move will be successful, with the Senate and even President Biden potentially opposing the decision, which would require waiving the Congressional Review Act (CRA).
  • That is because the EPA has already granted California a waiver to enforce the regulations, which also have the backing of at least 11 other states.
  • Furthermore, the CPA specifically allowed California to set its own standards due to the state’s particularly high pollution levels, and because California has a larger economy than most countries, its decisions are pivotal for the auto industry and beyond.
  • Carmakers including Ford, GM and Honda had criticised the EPA’s initial approval of the plan.

By Justine Calma

Original Article