Climate Changed

California Vows Fight as Trump Takes Aim at Clean-Car Authority

President tweets that his action will lower consumer car costs
Latest move adds to list of conflicts with most populous state

Vehicles sit in rush hour traffic on the Interstate 405 freeway by the Sepulveda pass in this aerial photograph taken over Los Angeles.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Ryan Beene, Ari Natter, and Jennifer A Dlouhy

September 18, 2019 at 3:28 PM UTC

Updated on

September 18, 2019 at 6:08 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

President Donald Trump said he will revoke California’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from autos, his latest clash with the state that threatens to plunge the auto industry into protracted legal uncertainty.

“This is the fight of a lifetime for us. We have to win this and I believe we will,” California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols said during a defiant press conference after Trump’s announcement Wednesday.