Federal judge blocks EPA's bid to let Congress undo California emissions rules

Judge Beryl Howell temporarily blocked the Environmental Protection Agency's move to classify California's clean car waivers as rules, which would have allowed Congress to overturn them under the Congressional Review Act. Howell ruled that the waivers explicitly state they are not rules, calling the EPA's reasoning contradictory and likely to fail on the merits. The EPA said it is considering an immediate appeal.

EXPANDED:

Judge Beryl Howell, an Obama appointee, issued the temporary block late Wednesday. The EPA had in June reclassified California's waivers for vehicle and lawn equipment emissions as "rules," which would have subjected them