"An influential conservative organization last week mirrored a broad debate within Republican circles over states' rights on environmental issues — it's OK sometimes, but not always.

A resolution on vehicle fuel efficiency standards and whether to let California set its own stricter targets was on the docket at the American Legislative Exchange Council's summit in New Orleans. But, in a way, so was the ideological right's concept of what federalism really means.

State lawmakers on the group's Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force unanimously supported the measure that backed the Trump administration's proposal to weaken fuel targets and revoke California's waiver, which allows it set more aggressive marks. Think tanks and private companies on the task force were more evenly split on the vote, though those familiar with the discussion said most supported the resolution."

Zack Colman reports for ClimateWire August 13, 2018. [2]