Introduction
This article was flagged for fact-checking following a user’s question: if automakers are already complying with California’s clean car standards to maintain access to its vast market, what’s the point of revoking the state’s authority to set them? Who truly benefits from such a reversal? These concerns reflect growing public interest in the future of emission policies, especially after recent attempts in Congress to block California’s longstanding exception from federal emissions rules.
Historical Context
Dating back to the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, California has held special authority to enact stricter vehicle emissions standards due to its severe smog issues. This waiver, granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has enabled California to become a national and global leader in air quality policy. Over time, other states have chosen to adopt California’s standards, amplifying their impact nationwide. The recent Congressional Review Act (CRA) maneuver to undo such waivers resurrects longstanding tensions between state environmental leadership and federal oversight.
Claim #1: Automakers already follow California’s standards, so revoking them won’t change much
The article suggests that since “automakers have largely followed California’s emissions standards… as the state equates to the fourth-largest economy on the planet,” revoking the waiver may have little immediate impact. While it’s true that manufacturers design fleets to meet California’s standards because of its market size, removing the waiver removes legal necessity and undermines long-term commitments. According to the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, automakers prefer consistent standards but rely on legal frameworks to guide compliance. Without the waiver, future administrations may abandon state-based initiatives, reducing pressure to innovate or maintain stricter environmental standards.
Furthermore, several automakers—including General Motors and Toyota—previously sided with the Trump administration in 2019 to revoke California’s waiver but reversed their stance after public and market pressure. So while economic incentives play a role, legal protections from the EPA remain essential to ensure policy longevity and certainty for manufacturers.
Source: Reuters
Claim #2: The use of the Congressional Review Act to revoke EPA waivers is illegal
The article states: “The Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian have agreed, saying EPA waivers are not subject to the review law.” This statement is accurate. The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to overturn federal agency rules but not agency decisions that are adjudicative or specific in nature—like EPA’s granting of a waiver to a particular state.
A 2024 analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service supports this, emphasizing that waivers are considered executive determinations, not “rules” subject to CRA disapproval. The Government Accountability Office affirms this interpretation, reinforcing that the current Republican effort faces likely legal and procedural obstacles.
Source: Congressional Research Service
Claim #3: Revoking the waiver will directly increase pollution on roadways
The article quotes Kathy Harris of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), who says that removing California’s waiver “would immediately lead to an increase in pollution on the nation’s roadways.” While this statement is partially a projection, it has merit based on past environmental outcomes.
According to the EPA’s 2023 Trends in Air Pollution Report, California’s stricter vehicle policies—especially on zero-emissions vehicles and particulate matter from diesel trucks—have significantly reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particles (PM2.5). Without the waiver-backed authority to enforce those rules, states would default to weaker federal mandates, slowing or reversing gains in local air quality and public health, especially in low-income and urban communities.
Additionally, an analysis by the American Lung Association notes that states following California’s Advanced Clean Cars Program experienced better-than-average air quality improvements between 2008 and 2020.
Source: EPA, American Lung Association
Claim #4: More than a dozen states follow California’s standards, influencing 40% of all new vehicle registrations
The article reports that “the standards now cover nearly 40% of new light-duty vehicle registrations and more than a quarter of heavy-duty vehicles like trucks across the entire US.” This is accurate. As of January 2025, 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, California’s vehicle emissions standards—including New York, Massachusetts, and Washington.
Data from the California Air Resources Board confirms that California-compliant states collectively account for roughly 40% of national light-duty vehicle sales, giving California immense market influence. The heavy-duty truck standard coverage, at over 25%, is confirmed by data from the Diesel Technology Forum.
Source: CARB, Diesel Technology Forum
Conclusion
Overall, the article’s core factual assertions are accurate and well-supported. It provides justified concern over the legality of using the Congressional Review Act in this context and accurately outlines the environmental and industrial implications of revoking California’s waiver authority. However, while the reporting leans advocacy-heavy in language—especially in quoting Democratic lawmakers and NRDC officials—it does not distort verified facts or present false information. That said, the article could have provided more Republican perspectives or policy rationales beyond Trump’s quote to maintain full balance.
To answer the user’s original question: The point of revoking California’s waivers lies not in whether automakers are currently complying, but in removing California’s ability to independently shape national trends and maintain stricter standards. Fossil fuel interests and political groups opposing federal environmental regulation stand to benefit by curbing a state-led momentum that pushes the auto industry toward electrification and climate compliance.
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Original Article
Read the original article here: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/22/republicans-california-epa-waiver-cars
