The Big Story 

The Supreme Court indicated Friday it will take up a case that could revive industry efforts to axe California’s stricter-than-federal vehicle emissions standards.

© AP Photo/Gregory Bull

The high court granted a petition from companies and groups representing oil refiners and biofuel producers that seeks to revive their lawsuit against the Biden administration’s reinstatement of California’s clean cars program. 

In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave California the OK to enforce rules that required car companies to sell new cars in the state that produced less pollution.

The industry and red states sued over this action. They have argued the Biden administration was essentially allowing California to act as “a junior-varsity EPA.”

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out their challenge on a technicality — saying they could not bring the case forward because they did not sufficiently prove how it would harm them.   

On Friday, the Supreme Court said in a brief order that it would hear their effort to revive the case. The court declined their request to hear the underlying argument, though, only saying it would address the circuit court’s reason for tossing it.

Read more at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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Essential Reads 

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

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Remote exposure to Western wildfire smoke causing heart and lung problems nationwide: Study

Biden administration races to cement climate gains

Quote of note 

Permitting reform talks press on:

• As Congress’ holiday recess approaches, lawmakers are locked in talks on efforts to speed up approvals for the nation’s energy projects. 

• “We made progress and are still at the table working in good faith,” House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said in a statement to The Hill.
• “We must get this right and are still working on a handful of issues that could unlock a deal.”

In Other News 

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Freedom Caucus backs two-track strategy to tackle Trump border, energy, tax agenda

The hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus is backing a two-step approach to tackle parts of President-elect Trump’s agenda on border, taxes and energy amid an internal clash over the approach. 

What We’re Reading 

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

• Wood heating could be worse than thought for rural air, study suggests (The Guardian)

   

• Upper Columbia River in Northeast WA listed as a Superfund site (The Seattle Times)

• Maryland climate panel balks at suggesting a new carbon market (E&E News)

On Tap 

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

What Others are Reading 

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Senate Democrats livid with exiting Sinema, Manchin: ‘Pathetic’

Senate Democrats were livid after Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), two longtime members of their caucus, voted Wednesday to block President Biden’s nominee, Lauren McFerran, to serve another five-year term on the National Labor Relations Board. Read more

Live coverage: Johnson briefed on drone sightings; Pelosi injured in Luxembourg

New Jersey officials are growing increasingly worried about the now-regular spotting of drones over the state, with lawmakers calling for answers and more transparency from federal agencies. Read more