Supreme Court Revives Challenge to California Emissions

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that fuel producers and oil companies have legal standing to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of California’s stricter vehicle emissions standards and electric vehicle mandates. The decision overturns a lower court ruling that dismissed the case for lack of standing, allowing the lawsuit to proceed. The ruling does not address the merits of California's authority to set tougher standards under a special EPA waiver but focuses solely on whether the challengers can sue. Fuel producers argue the standards harm their industry by reducing demand for liquid fuels, while the EPA and California contend that market demand for electric vehicles would remain high regardless of regulations. The outcome could impact the ability of California and other states to set influential greenhouse gas emissions standards. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, reflecting an ideological split on the court.