Court Upholds Walz Plan For More Electric Vehicles in Minnesota
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A ruling issued today by the Minnesota Court of Appeals grants the Walz Administration a major victory in its efforts to impose tighter emission standards on vehicles sold in Minnesota.
The ruling affirms the validity of rules adopted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that require auto manufacturers "to deliver for sale in Minnesota only vehicles that meet specified air pollutant emissions standards and a certain percentage of vehicles with ultra-low or zero tailpipe emissions." The new emission standards are based on rules previously adopted by the State of California.
According to the appeals court decision, the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association argued the Clean Car Rule being implemented by Governor Tim Walz violates Minnesota's Constitution by improperly delegating the MPCA's rulemaking authority to California or by "improperly delegating legislative authority to the MPCA without adequate guidance.
The ruling indicates the Court of Appeals found the incorporation of California's motor-vehicle emissions standards into the Minnesota rule did not violate the nondelegation doctrine in the Minnesota Constitution, noting any major change made to the California regulations would require the MPCA to initiate a new rulemaking process if the administration wishes to adopt significant changes made by California regulators. The judges also determined the MPCA does have the authority to enact the new emission standards and that Minnesota is eligible to adopt the California rules.
The Automobile Dealers Manufacturers Association is expected to ask the Minnesota Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision.
