U.S. Senate Votes to Overturn California Vehicle Emission Standards

The U.S. Senate has voted to overturn a waiver allowing California to set its own air pollution standards, according to a report from NPR.

In a 51 to 44 vote, the Senate overruled the guidance of the parliamentarian—something that’s only been done a handful of times in the past 90 years.

Through use of a law called the Congressional Review Act, the Senate was able to overturn waivers allowing California to set its own standards, which would require 35% of new vehicle sales in the state to be zero emission, growing to 100% of new sales by 2035.

Some have argued this use of CRA is illegal, such as the Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian, as well as California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who intends to challenge the decision in court.

Over 100 public health and environmental groups sent a letter to Congress last month arguing that axing the standards would jeopardize the health and air quality of communities across the state—however, the oil industry has been a stagnant supporter of such a move, with the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers celebrating the vote.