California Braces for Battle Over Its Right to Set Emission Limits

California’s Air Resources Board predicts a “war” if the federal government moves to rescind the state’s right to set its own air pollution limits for cars, Bloomberg News reports.

CARB was given the power to set its own emission standards under the 1970 Clean Air Act. Since then several states have adopted California’s standards for emissions, fuel economy and electric-vehicle sales.

California and federal standards are aligned for now. But that will change if the Trump administration decides to rework future fuel economy rules intended to increase fuel economy targets for cars and light trucks by 2025 to roughly 36 mpg under real-world driving conditions.

California and its follower states have vowed to implement the current standards. If Washington opts otherwise, “there would be a war” between the two camps, CARB Chair Mary Nichols tells Bloomberg.

She insists the state is not trying to “pick fights” with the White House. Both sides—and the auto industry—strongly prefer a single set of standards for all states. The federal review of current fuel economy standards is expected next month.​​​​