EPA to Revisit Emissions Standards Waiver
Feb 19, 2009 1:40 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being asked by President Obama to reconsider its denial of a waiver that would allow California to implement new greenhouse gas emissions standards, resulting in de facto fuel-economy standards apart from the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements. Many other states have expressed interest in adopting California’s standards.
California’s regulations would force automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in new cars and light trucks by 2016, which would mean higher fuel economy standards than those set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The waiver request was made by California on Dec. 21, 2005, to allow the state the right to control greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. The request was denied by then-EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on March 6, 2008.
On Jan. 26, 2009, shortly after taking office, President Obama requested that the EPA revisit the matter of the denial.
The Clean Air Act gives the EPA the authority to allow California to adopt its own emissions standards for motor vehicles due to the seriousness of the state’s air pollution challenges. Motor vehicle manufacturers are concerned that approval of this waiver will result in a patchwork of fuel economy standards across the nation.
For more information about this California waiver, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/ca-waiver.htm.
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