Abolish the California waivers of federal pre-emption of auto emissions standards

As most people are aware, there is a federal law allowing the US Environmental Protection Agency to grant to California waivers of federal pre-emption of motor vehicle emissions standards. Other states have been allowed to adopt the California standards, and so far 11 states have done so and 5 states plan to do so. California plus these other states contain over half of the US population.

There is now a big flap over the EPA's denial of California's request for a waiver of federal pre-emption of greenhouse-gas -- mainly CO-2 -- emissions standards for motor vehicles. The reason for the denial is that the greenhouse-gas problem is global rather than local in nature. I agree with the waiver denial. I support improvement of auto fuel efficiency and limitation of greenhouse gases as much as anyone, but IMO a California waiver is not a legal way to pursue these goals.

IMO the California waivers should be abolished altogether. I explain why in this comment thread on the Volokh Conspiracy blog.