California Challenges EPA Plan for Congressional Review of State’s Stricter Vehicle Emissions Standards

In its challenge, California called the requirement for congressional review under the CRA ‘illegal.’

A drone view shows an electric vehicle charging location in Carlsbad, Calif., on May 14, 2025. Mike Blake/File Photo/Reuters

California is suing the federal government through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its challenge to state rules for stricter limits on vehicle emissions, the California Attorney General’s Office said on June 22.

Earlier in June, the federal agency said California was usurping EPA authority through its rulemaking and contested four waivers granted by previous administrations without congressional review. It said it had “determined that each of these waivers is a rule” and sought their review “as mandated under the CRA (Congressional Review Act).”