California sues EPA over Air Act waiver reclassification

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit on Monday, June 23, 2026, against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, challenging the agency’s move to reclassify four longstanding Clean Air Act waivers. The legal action, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., seeks to block an EPA decision that could allow Congress to revoke California’s authority to set stricter vehicle and equipment emissions standards.

The lawsuit follows an EPA announcement on June 12 that it had reclassified four waivers granted to California from “orders” to “rules.” This administrative change subjects the waivers to the Congressional Review Act, allowing a simple majority vote in Congress to disapprove and nullify them. The waivers in question cover key California regulations, including its Advanced Clean Cars program, which mandates increasing sales of electric vehicles, and a ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment.

In a statement, Attorney General Bonta argued the reclassification is illegal and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. He stated that for over 50 years, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, these waivers have been...