Fuel firms can challenge California's emission limits, supreme court rules

Fossil fuel companies are able to challenge California's ability to set stricter standards reducing the amount of polluting coming from cars, the US supreme court has ruled in a case that is set to unravel one of the key tools used to curb planet-heating emissions in recent years.
The conservative-dominated supreme court voted by seven to two to backa challenge by oil and gas companies, along with 17 Republican-led states, to a waiver that California has received periodically from the federal government since 1967 that allows it to set tougher standards than national rules limiting pollution from cars. The state has separately stipulated that only zero-emission cars will be able to sold there by 2035.
Although states are typically not allowed to set their own standards aside from the federal Clean Air Act, California has been given unique authority to do so via a waiver that has seen it become a pioneer in pushing for cleaner cars. Other states are allowed to copy California's stricter standard, too.
But oil and gas companies, as well as Republican politicians, have complained about the waiver, arguing that it caused financial harm. The waiver was removed during Donald Trump's first term but then reinstated by Joe Biden's administration. Trump is, again, looking into whether to revoke the waiver.
A lower court had previously ruled that the oil and gas industry didn't have legal standing to attempt to topple the California waiver but a challenge to this reached the supreme court, which appeared sympathetic to the claim when the case was heard in April. 'It's not that high a burden,' Amy Coney Barrett, one of the justices, said about proof of the alleged harm.
California and the federal government have been allowed to 'stretch and abuse' the Clean Air Act, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, one of the groups challenging the waiver, has complained.
But environmentalists and California's Democratic leadership have defended the waiver, arguing that it has helped push forward vehicle innovation and help cut greenhouse gases. Transportation is responsible for more planet-heating pollution in the US than any other sector.
'California and other clean car states cannot achieve federal clean air standards and protect communities without reducing harmful transportation pollution,' said Andrea Issod, senior attorney at the Sierra Club. 'We stand with these states to defend their well-established authority to set standards for clean cars.'

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Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. While handsome from the front, the Grand Wagoneer L's extended rear section makes it look a bit awkward from the side and rear three-quarter angles, when compared to the normal Grand Wagoneer. 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This Jeep is lavishly equipped, and these are just a few of the standard items: 20-way powered, heated, massaging, and ventilated front seats Second-row captain's chairs with heating and ventilation Power tilt/slide second-row seats Power fold/recline third-row seats Heated steering wheel Four-zone automatic climate control Digital rearview mirror Wireless device charging Natural Walnut wood interior accents Power-adjustable pedals Suede headliner 23-speaker McIntosh sound system 12-inch touchscreen Passenger-side interactive display Head-up display Adaptive cruise control Night vision with pedestrian and animal detection As you can see, Jeep throws nearly everything at its most expensive model. The only noteworthy option is the Rear-Seat Entertainment Group for $2,595. This adds dual 10.1-inch screens, Amazon Fire TV Built-In, and a video USB port. Performance: Effortlessly Smooth And Powerful Source: Stellantis Jeep's mega SUV gets just one engine choice, and it's not a V8. 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Source: Stellantis As mentioned, there aren't many extras for what is already a fully loaded SUV. However, the combination of premium paint, the towing package, the rear-seat entertainment package, and the All-Weather Mat Package brings the total (including destination) to $119,690. Other expensive Jeep models like the Wrangler Rubicon 392 still don't get close to this Grand Wagoneer L's price. If you don't absolutely need all that space, that price is in the same vicinity as the V8-powered Mercedes-Benz GLS. However, the Grand Wagoneer L will more frequently be cross-shopped with the Escalade ESV and the Lincoln Navigator L. Summary: A Worthy Escalade Rival The luxury-focused and expensive Jeep is definitely worth a look if you want a plus-sized SUV. It is immensely practical, provided you can live with navigating this beast in and out of normal-sized lanes and parking spaces. It also has an interior that matches its Cadillac rival, and more power. 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