States
The Election, Vehicle Emissions, and State Climate Plans
If the California car waiver survives a possible Trump presidency, we may have the overruling of Chevron to thank.
If one single thing about the election keeps state environmental regulators up at night, it’s how much a Trump victory would impact their ability to cut transportation emissions. As it turns out, Trump’s leverage would be reduced, ironically enough, because his conservative Supreme Court appointees helped overrule the Chevron doctrine. Trump can still cause a …
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CONTINUE READINGTexas and California Are Not Opposites. Contrary to What You Might Think.
These two states are often portrayed as epitomizing two possible futures. But the differences are more nuanced than you think.
here’s a common idea that Texas and California represent two opposing poles of America. They’re admittedly very different places on many dimensions. But in some respects, they are surprisingly similar, and some differences aren’t as big as they seem.
CONTINUE READINGClimate Politics and Policy in Nebraska
In a divided nation, could the Cornhusker State turn out to hold the balance of power?
In what has turned out to be an interesting Senate race, Republican incumbent Deb Fischer is facing Independent Dan Osborn (I). Fischer has a lifetime score of 8% from the League of Conservation voters and hates EVs. Osborn seem pro-renewables. The outcome could determine control of the U.S. Senate.
CONTINUE READINGCalifornia’s Electric Car Culture
The state has been pushing EVs for over thirty years, with huge progress in the past five years.
California has been a leader in clean cars — the result of a long history of regulatory efforts. Here’s how we got where we are, and what will need to happen going forward.
CONTINUE READINGEnvironmental Bills at the 10-yard Line
Now that the legislative session has wrapped, the ball is in the Governor’s hands. Here are some of the environmental bills he could sign by September 30.
The California legislative session wrapped up on Saturday, August 31st at midnight, with legislators working until the clock struck twelve. As usual, it was an exciting night to watch. Unlike most years, there seemed to be more of a rush at the end to reach agreement on some of the major issue areas, as well …
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CONTINUE READINGNew Report: Charging and Financing Electric Trucks
CLEE/UCLA Law report & webinar offers solutions to meet California’s zero-emission trucks goal
California has groundbreaking goals to require automakers to sell, and large fleets to purchase, zero-emission trucks and buses in increasing percentages, starting this year. But these goals will only be achievable if the state has sufficient charging infrastructure to fuel the vehicles, along with available financing to help truck owners purchase or lease them. To …
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CONTINUE READINGClimate Policy, Minnesota-Style
Tim Walz’s selection as a VP candidate has put the state’s policies in the limelight.
Although Minnesota isn’t considered a swing state, it’s not Deep Blue either. Biden got 52% of the vote in 2020. Control of the legislature has been contested, with Democrats having a narrow margin in both Houses recently. The state adopted a forward-looking climate policy in 2007, but by 2015 progress had stalled. Given this background, …
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CONTINUE READINGWhat Would Climate Policy Look Like Under One-Party Conservative Rule?
You only need to look at Texas or Florida for the answer: a complete erasure of climate action.
This is not to say that unified control of the federal government by the hard right would entirely halt the progress of clean energy. Just that, if Florida and Texas are any guides, they would do their best to make that happen and to maximize use of what Trump has called the liquid gold under our feet.
CONTINUE READINGThe Supreme Court & Interstate Pollution
It was puzzling that the Court agreed to hear the case. How has it ruled? And why?
Months ago, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an “emergency” request to stay EPA’s new rule regulating interstate air pollution. Like most observers, I was puzzled that the Court was bothering with the case before the D.C. Circuit even had a chance to consider the merits of the challenges. Months later, the Court has finally …
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CONTINUE READINGThe Hawai’i Youth Climate Settlement
Thirteen youth plaintiffs secured a court-enforced agreement to decarbonize the state’s transportation system without even setting foot in a courtroom.
At the precise time on Monday, June 24 when 13 young Hawaiians were set to file into a Honolulu court for the start of trial, they instead gathered at the historic Iolani Palace to celebrate with their legal teams and supporters. Their case, Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, was the latest youth climate lawsuit …
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