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Trump Administration appeals ruling that prevents EPA from sending California auto emission rules to Congress

President Donald Trump's administration on ?Tuesday appealed a federal court's ruling blocking the U.S. ?Environmental Protection Agency from sending landmark California vehicle emissions rules to ?the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress seeking ?a fast-track repeal.

On September 2, the U.S. District Judge Beryl howell ruled that the EPA acted in an improper manner by sending four waivers to Congress in June, including rules enacting tougher emission standards for cars, trucks and lawn-and-garden machinery.

The Trump administration is waging a multi-pronged campaign to deny California's ability to mandate cleaner and more electric cars. The EPA, Congress and other agencies have also enacted regulations that make it easier for automakers and truck manufacturers to sell gasoline-powered vehicles and trucks while?making EVs more expensive.

If the Trump administration succeeds, it will bar California from regulating "tailpipe emissions" indefinitely and a future Democratic President would not be able to easily "restore its regulatory powers."

The EPA stated in June that the waivers for vehicle emissions granted to California by previous Democratic administrations, should have been sent directly to legislators under the Congressional Review Act. This would allow the U.S. Senate the ability to repeal the waivers with a simple majority, rather than the usual 60 votes required to pass most legislation.

Only?regulations can be repealed under the CRA. California filed a federal court lawsuit to stop the action, claiming that it was illegal for the waivers to be sent to the 'Senate in accordance with the CRA as they were waivers and weren't regulations.

Separately the?U.S. The House of Representatives will vote this week on repealing California's environmental rules for ocean-going vessels, and?commercial harbour craft. This is despite Howell’s Friday ruling that the EPA had improperly transmitted these rules to Congress.

Congress removed the authority that California had to ban gasoline-powered cars?after 2035. Toyota, General Motors, and other automakers lobbied to be exempted from the state's emission regulations.

After the EPA had sent waivers to Congress, the action was taken. California is currently pursuing a separate legal challenge against that action.

(source: Reuters)