The move to remove California’s authority to set vehicle-emissions rules will deprive the state of a major tool in its pollution-reduction toolbox. It also shows how far Republicans are willing to go to defy congressional norms in the name of overturning Democrats’ climate policies.
Hi, how the fuck is this legal to do? Isn’t california allowed to always set its own product standards within its borders?
Yes, probably. Its likely enough that the article ends with:
competent AGs rarely file cases they don’t believe they can win.
According to the 10th amendment, the federal government can only regulate in areas specifically designated by the constitution. The feds can regulate interstate commerce, but not intrastate commerce. Though at times, courts have interpreted interstate very broadly.
Federal statutes gave california a waver to set their own emissions regulations. This law would remove those so it would be up to a court to decide if the feds have that authority.