House Republicans’ plan to target California waiver faces hurdles
Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana released a list on Feb. 20 of rules the GOP plans to target using the Congressional Review Act, and first on the list was the California Clean Air Act waiver — even though an independent agency has indicated the waiver cannot be changed through this mechanism.
Other states follow California’s rules, creating a dual system of regulations for automakers — the federal rules issued by the EPA and the state rules determined by California.
“The California waiver is a really important factor in the growth of the EV industry,” said John Boesel, CEO of Calstart, a nonprofit focused on clean transportation. “Without that waiver, [states] wouldn’t have the ability to also elect to set a higher standard to protect their citizens.”
California also is the biggest car market in the nation, exerting a significant influence on the auto industry and the policies of other states, he said.