I’m happy to report yet another win in our fight against gas car bans!

Last Friday, the Supreme Court sided with refiners and fuel producers — agreeing that we have the right to challenge California’s EV mandate.

This is a big deal. Here’s why:

This particular California policy (called Advanced Clean Cars I or ACCI) is the precursor to California’s more recent attempt to fully ban sales of new gas cars by 2035*. ACCI requires automakers to increase EV sales year after year, through model year 2025, and to satisfy CA-specific greenhouse gas emissions requirements forever — regardless of cost or what car buyers actually want.

More than a dozen other states follow California’s rules, so ACCI directly affects what kinds of cars and trucks are available to over a third of Americans. That’s why AFPM, along with a coalition of fuel, agriculture and biofuel groups, challenged this policy.

*The “California ban” probably sounds familiar. It was just overturned by Congress, thanks in part to the thousands EMPOWER members like you who took a stand and contacted your elected officials!

But the fight isn’t over. Here’s what happens next:

The key takeaway is that the Supreme Court ruled we have standing — meaning we now get to argue the merits of our case against California’s EV mandate before the DC Circuit. That’s a major step, but there’s a lot more work to be done.

We’ll keep you posted as the case develops. In the meantime, enjoy this week’s news roundup!

-Charlie and the AFPM EMPOWER team

Have ideas for content, comments or questions? You can reach us at empower@afpm.org.

What we’re reading this week

SCOTUS ruling opens challenge to CA greenhouse gas, EV rules - The Center Square
A 7-2 U.S. Supreme Court ruling re-opened a challenge to California’s greenhouse gas emissions regulations and electric vehicle requirements by recognizing that fuel producers have standing to make their case against the rules.

How California Regulated Itself Into an Energy Crisis - Breakthrough Institute
The last few months will likely be remembered as a watershed moment in California’s testy gas price discourse. After years of blaming the state’s eye-watering gasoline prices—the highest in the continental U.S.—on “Big Oil” greed, California’s elected officials have finally started taking seriously the idea that high pump prices are the result of their state’s overly aggressive environmental policies.

Pipelines, Permits, and Power: Why America Must Act Now to Meet the Demands of the AI Era - RealClear Energy
Artificial intelligence needs energy. Energy needs pipelines. Pipelines need permits. You can’t power AI without building new energy infrastructure. And you can’t build energy infrastructure without fixing permitting.

Brent Drops Below $70 as Israel-Iran Ceasefire Holds - OilPrice.com
Oil prices dropped dramatically after a surprisingly speedy ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Iran, although the peace remains fragile.

Scientists use bacteria to turn plastic waste into paracetamol - The Guardian
The team say that by using this form of E coli they were able to turn the PET-based starting material into paracetamol in under 24 hours, with low emissions and a yield of up to 92%.