A federal appeals court on Wednesday struck down a California rule aimed at reducing smog-causing emissions from ships in the Los Angeles area. The state had argued that it had the authority to implement the rule without seeking permission from the U.S. EPA since it was simply regulating the fuel used in older, more-polluting auxiliary diesel engines that provide onboard electricity and wasn’t dictating emissions requirements. The appeals court disagreed, ruling that California must seek a waiver from the EPA in order to implement the rule. A similar waiver for a state law reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and trucks was recently denied.
