Yellow diesel truck on highway during daytime under partly cloudy skies.

House votes to block California truck emission rules, challenging legal norms

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn California’s clean truck standards aimed at reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, despite objections from Congress’ own legal watchdog.

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill.

In short:

Lawmakers used the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify Biden administration approval of California’s rules, which seek to electrify more trucks and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) advised that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's waiver approval was not subject to CRA repeal, but the House proceeded regardless, raising legal concerns.
Thirteen Democrats joined most Republicans in voting for the resolutions; only one Republican opposed them.

Key quote:

"The unprecedented nature of ignoring the GAO … is profound."

— Rachel Weintraub, executive director of the Coalition for Sensible Safeguards

Why this matters:

California has long held a unique role in shaping U.S. vehicle emissions policy due to its severe air quality challenges and the Clean Air Act’s waiver system. By setting tougher standards, California not only addresses local pollution but also influences national market trends as other states often adopt its rules. The House’s move to override these standards, against the advice of the GAO, raises questions about the future of state-led environmental innovation amid growing concerns about climate change and public health. If the Senate follows suit and legal challenges arise, the outcome could reshape federal-state power balances on pollution control, potentially slowing the nation’s transition to cleaner transportation options.

thehill.com

Credit: Antonio Garcia/Unsplash

California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

In California’s Mojave Desert, a mining plant is turning to solar thermal energy to replace one of its coal-fired generators, but a second unit may run for years due to the intense heat and 24-hour power it needs.

Ivan Penn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Searles Valley Minerals, a mining company in Trona, Calif., is replacing one of its two coal plants with a solar thermal system but says the other may need to stay online for the foreseeable future due to operational demands.
The company will use a concentrating solar power system from start-up GlassPoint, which uses mirrors to generate high heat, a solution that works well in hot, sunny areas but requires a large land footprint and remains rare in the U.S.
Despite California’s push to phase out coal and President Trump’s efforts to revive it, economic and geographic constraints continue to complicate full industrial transitions away from fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“We just think coal is going to be a problem. We’re going to have a hard time sourcing it. We need to be ready to pivot.”

— Dennis Cruise, president of Searles Valley Minerals

Why this matters:

Industrial heat — the kind used in mining, chemical production, and heavy manufacturing — accounts for about half of global energy use, yet it’s rarely mentioned in public climate debates. Unlike home heating or car travel, generating this level of heat without fossil fuels is still tough. Most renewable energy technologies don’t deliver the extreme, continuous heat these facilities need. That leaves industries like the one in Trona stuck with coal, even as it becomes harder to source and politically unpopular. As the U.S. attempts to decarbonize, industrial energy needs present one of the biggest hurdles.

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