A federal judge has blocked the Environmental Protection Agency's move to forward California's stricter vehicle emissions standards to Congress, a decision that keeps the state's more aggressive clean air rules intact for the time being. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA can deny California's waiver for its own emissions standards, which triggers a referral to Congress where a two-thirds vote would be required to override the state's rules. The ruling is a significant win for environmental advocates and California, which has long relied on its ability to set its own tougher emissions thresholds. The case underscores the ongoing tension between federal regulatory authority and state-level climate policy, with implications for how the auto industry designs vehicles sold across the country.
US judge bars EPA effort to send California vehicle emissions rules to Congress reuters.com
