Closeup of tailpipe on a dusty car.

Supreme Court allows fossil fuel companies to sue over California clean car rules

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that fuel producers can challenge California’s authority to set stricter emissions limits under a longstanding Clean Air Act waiver.

Adam Liptak reports for The New York Times.


In short:

  • The justices ruled that fuel producers have legal standing to sue over California’s vehicle emissions rules, even though the case doesn’t yet touch on the legality of those standards.
  • California has long held a federal waiver allowing it to set more stringent air pollution rules than national standards, particularly targeting tailpipe emissions.
  • Trump rescinded the waiver during his first term, Biden reinstated it, and Trump has vowed to eliminate it again, potentially making the issue moot.

Key quote:

“Without California’s regulations in effect, manufacturers would likely make more cars powered by gasoline and other liquid fuels, thereby increasing purchases of those fuels.”

— U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh

Why this matters:

Tailpipe emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles remain the largest source of carbon dioxide pollution in the U.S., contributing heavily to climate change and worsening public health. California’s unique legal authority to impose stricter emissions standards — granted under the 1970 Clean Air Act — has helped drive national efforts toward cleaner vehicles, particularly electric cars. These rules have also reduced smog and soot that cause respiratory illnesses like asthma, especially in communities near highways. If fossil fuel companies succeed in overturning California’s waiver, it could weaken a critical lever states use to curb greenhouse gas emissions and protect residents from pollution-related disease. The court’s ruling opens the door to that challenge, placing a cornerstone of U.S. environmental policy under renewed threat.

Related: Why some House Democrats helped block California’s 2035 gas car ban

The Sierra Club logo shown on a closeup of the organization's webpage.

Sierra Club fires executive director Ben Jealous after internal investigation

The Sierra Club board has fired Ben Jealous, citing misconduct after months of internal strife, budget cuts, and staff no-confidence votes.

Lee Hedgepeth reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Oil export ships and cranes at a dock in the daytime.

Patagonia oil export terminal plan alarms scientists and residents over wildlife threat

Residents, scientists, and tour operators in Patagonia are warning that Argentina’s planned largest crude oil export terminal could devastate marine ecosystems, harm endangered species, and threaten local livelihoods.

Harriet Barber reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Commercial fishing boats at dock.

Court blocks commercial fishing in massive Pacific marine reserve

A federal judge in Hawaii has reinstated a ban on commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage marine national monument, rejecting Trump administration efforts to loosen protections.

Coral Murphy Marcos reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Coal mining equipment digging into a coal seam.

Coal mine dispute in UK sparks investor-state legal battle over climate ruling

Investors in a canceled coal mine in northern England have launched an international arbitration case against the UK government, challenging a court’s decision that blocked the project over its projected carbon emissions.

Katie Surma reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
Man carrying a solar panel up a grass-covered slope near a home.

Trump administration cancels Vermont solar grants for low-income communities

Vermont will lose $62.5 million in federal funding for solar projects aimed at cutting electricity costs for low-income residents after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ended the Solar for All program.

Austyn Gaffney reports for VTDigger.

Keep reading...Show less
a close up of a window with the word DATA on it.

EPA halts updates to top greenhouse gas database after scientist’s suspension

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will stop updating a widely used greenhouse gas emissions database after suspending its creator for signing a letter critical of the Trump administration’s science policies.

Harry Stevens reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Earth depicted as a globe encased in a plastic bag.
Credit: IrinaKr/BigStock Photo ID: 240205927

Final push for plastic pollution treaty talks as groups urge bold action

Environmental and Indigenous leaders are pushing for a strong, legally binding treaty to curb plastic pollution, as United Nations negotiations in Geneva near their conclusion.

Jennifer McDermott reports for the Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.