According to two people familiar with the draft, it would eliminate the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse-gas emissions threaten human life by dangerously warming the planet.
For 50 years, automakers have had to increase the fuel efficiency of their vehicles or pay fines. The Republican megabill would set those penalties to $0.
The 7-to-2 decision stressed that it did not address the merits of the dispute, and concerned only whether the producers had standing to sue.
California leaders said the state intends to challenge the move in court, and to find new ways to move drivers toward electric vehicles.
In 50 years, California’s authority to set environmental rules that are tougher than national standards had never been challenged by Congress. Until now.
The Inflation Reduction Act was once hailed as the biggest climate law in U.S. history. But as supporters try to save it, they’ve stopped talking about the environment altogether.
Republicans, joined by a handful of Democrats, voted to eliminate California’s electric vehicle policy, which had been adopted by 11 other states.
The Trump administration asked Republicans in Congress to stop California’s ban on new gas-powered cars. The Senate parliamentarian said it wasn’t allowed.
The administration is setting the stage for Congress to repeal a longstanding waiver that allows California to set its own pollution standards. State officials say the effort is illegal.
The funding, approved by Congress and overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, had been blocked since January, when President Trump ordered a pause and review of climate and clean energy programs.