Kavanaugh criticized the agency sharply, noting that “the government may not suffocate an industry with unlawful regulation and then seek refuge in immunity,” and pointing out the EPA’s shifting legal interpretations over the years.
The decision is being celebrated by traditional energy producers, who view it as a long-awaited pushback against California’s sweeping climate directives. For Newsom, however, it marks a significant political hurdle, especially since his 2035 plan to end the sale of gas-powered vehicles has been a cornerstone of his environmental platform. The ruling arrives just as President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle several of California’s regulatory waivers, signaling a dramatic turning point in America’s ongoing fight over climate and energy policy.
