Newsom Storms DC Seeking Federal Emissions Waivers Before Trump Takes Office

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in the nation’s capital seeking federal waivers for eight of California’s emissions policies. Without the Republican-opposed waivers, California could be unable to enforce its multi-state emissions policies that are more strict than the federal standard. The United States Clean Air Act authorizes California to set and enforce emissions standards more strict than the federal standard, so long as the Environmental Protection Agency grants the state a waiver for each new standard. The first Trump administration attempted to revoke California’s EPA waivers, a move that was held up in court and never definitively ruled on.