Opponents of California's aggressive targets for electric vehicle adoption have brought their case to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging the state's authority under its Advanced Clean Car program.
“In its filing on Tuesday, Valero Energy Corp's Diamond Alternative Energy and other plaintiffs argued that the EPA's waiver for California's Advanced Clean Car program allowed the state to ‘operate as a quasi-federal regulator on global climate change,'” according to court documents.
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration aims for California to lead in combating climate change, focusing on transportation, which accounts for a significant portion of emissions. However, opponents, including oil companies and agricultural groups, have launched lawsuits across state and federal courts to block California's emissions regulations affecting various vehicle types, from delivery trucks to long-distance haulers.
“The waiver and authority claimed here are pivotal elements of a coordinated agency strategy to transition the nation from liquid-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles,” the petition asserted, highlighting potential impacts on petroleum and biofuel markets.
Under the Clean Air Act, which governs vehicle emissions, greenhouse gases from mobile sources like cars and trucks are not explicitly addressed. Critics argue that California does not meet the legal standard requiring “compelling and extraordinary” conditions to justify a waiver, disputing the state's assertion that its regulations are crucial for addressing global climate issues.
Plaintiffs include influential industry bodies such as the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, Kansas Corn Growers Association, and the National Association of Convenience Stores.
California's unique ability to set more stringent emissions standards has broader implications, as other states often adopt its regulations to streamline vehicle manufacturing for national markets.
