The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
The U.S. House of Representatives reversed exemptions that allowed California to set its own emissions standards and target higher reduction goals than other states.
As Damien Newton explains in Streetsblog USA, “Because California was regulating air quality issues decades before the federal government, it is the only state that can get a waiver from the Feds to set more stringent standards.”
The House took the action using the 1996 Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress a short window to review and revoke federal rules. Newton adds, “By using the CRA instead of simply having the Trump-led EPA revoke the waiver again, Republicans hope to end the back-and-forth over the waiver should the Democrats retake the White House.”
According to Newton, “If the Senate follows the House’s lead and California loses in court, it would be a disaster for the state’s plans to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” Because other states were allowed to match California’s standards, the decision will have impacts far beyond California itself.
Read the full story: Congress Declares War on State’s Clean Air Efforts
EPA Guts Emissions Regulations
The agency is eliminating the endangerment finding that underpins the agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA Plans “Largest Deregulatory Action” in History
The agency plans to repeal a key 2009 rule that underpins the government’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump's proposed budget slashes EPA funding by 52%
The budget also reduces funding for FEMA, climate resilience projects, and water infrastructure programs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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One Hundred Miles
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