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The punch-counterpunch sparring between the Trump administration and the state of California over rollbacks of federal environmental regulations is often described as a war of words, with

neither the president nor Gov. Jerry Brown giving an inch. Some of the disputes are largely symbolic—foot-stamping gestures from Washington designed to resonate with the president’s core

supporters rather than to hold up in court. But the latest skirmish is serious. The federal Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to unravel fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light

trucks not only threatens California’s autonomy in setting its own emissions limits but also could derail the state’s ability to reach its future greenhouse-gas-reduction goals. “This is a

politically motivated effort to weaken clean-vehicle standards with no documentation, evidence or law to back up that decision,” Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the state Air Resources Board,

said in a statement. “This is not a technical assessment; it is a move to demolish the nation’s clean-car program. EPA’s action, if implemented, will worsen people’s health with degraded air

quality and undermine regulatory certainty for automakers.” The gauntlet was thrown down by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, a darling of the Trump administration for his zeal in dismantling

Obama-era environmental regulations. Even though Pruitt is the target of multiple investigations for alleged ethical transgressions and has found his job security in question, the effect of

his current decisions can resonate far beyond his or his boss’ terms in office. “There have been some troubling developments,” said Deborah Sivas, director of the Environmental Law Clinic

at Stanford Law School. “But I think a lot of this is ultimately not going to happen.” Read the full story.