States, EPA Debate if California Car Waiver is ‘Major Question’

The major questions doctrine and technical statutory readings will determine whether an appellate panel will greenlight California’s longstanding Clean Air Act exemption that lets the state set its own tailpipe emission standards.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit heard arguments in Ohio v. EPA on Friday, marking the second hearing this week over vehicle emission rules at the core of the Biden administration’s climate plans.

A coalition of Republican-led states and industry argue that the California waiver—which allows other states to opt into California’s standards—imposes local law on the entirety of the country.

The panel ...