Golden State Today

In a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Governor Gavin Newsom expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating, “Today the court sided with common sense and public health against the fossil fuel industry and Republican-led states. This ruling reaffirms California’s longstanding right to address pollution from cars and trucks, work started by Governor Ronald Reagan and codified by President Richard Nixon.”

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of California's efforts in fighting vehicle pollution, highlighting the state's success in exceeding zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) goals ahead of schedule. He stated, “The clean vehicle transition is already here – it’s where the industry is going, the major automakers support our standards, and California is hitting our goals years ahead of schedule. We won’t stop fighting to protect our communities from pollution and the climate crisis.”

The court's decision also acknowledged that auto manufacturers are already surpassing California's ZEV requirements, with the California Air Resources Board presenting evidence that manufacturers are selling more qualifying vehicles in California than the state's standards necessitate.

Furthermore, the court rejected constitutional arguments and challengers’ legal standing, reinforcing California's authority to set its clean vehicle standards. The ruling dismissed challenges to the constitutionality of the Clean Air Act provision allowing California to establish its own clean cars standards and highlighted that challengers lacked legal standing to press other challenges to California’s Advanced Clean Cars standards.

Additionally, the court underscored the unique impact of the climate crisis on California, noting the state's challenges with pollution, climate-related risks, and the exacerbation of conditions due to climate change.

California's commitment to combating vehicle pollution and advancing clean vehicle standards has been reaffirmed by this recent court ruling, solidifying the state's position in leading environmental initiatives.