EPA to restore state’s ability to regulate vehicle emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that it is planning to reinstate California’s authority to regulate vehicle emissions, a move that, combined with actions taken last week by the Transportation Department, will return to the state a powerful tool to fight climate pollution.
Under former President Donald Trump, U.S. regulators determined that California did not have the right to go beyond the federal government in independently establishing rules on greenhouse gases produced by automobiles. In 2019, the EPA withdrew parts of a waiver that gave the state the autonomy to curb tailpipe emissions and mandate the sale of zeropollution vehicles.
California’s strict rules on cars and light trucks have long been embraced by several states and, in turn, by the auto industry, which doesn’t
want to make different vehicles for different places. The Trump administration had argued that the California
rules were driving up automobile costs for consumers and giving the state too much leverage. But under Biden, the federal government has committed to policy changes that prioritize action on global warming.
The transportation sector generates the nation’s largest share of heattrapping gases, about 29% in 2019, according to the EPA.
“I am a firm believer in California’s longstanding statutory authority to lead,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement. “Today, we are delivering on President Biden’s clear direction to tackle the climate crisis by taking a major step forward to restore state leadership and advance EPA’s greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals.”
The EPA has already said that it intends to strengthen nationwide vehicle emissions standards, beginning this summer.
California’s revived ability to go its own way on tailpipe regulation is likely to give the state clout in shaping the federal rules. There is a desire among car makers, legislators and others to have a single, agreedupon standard for the nation, which means winning California’s buyin.
EPA officials said they will proceed with the required public process needed to reinstate California’s waiver under the Safer Affordable FuelEfficient Vehicles Rule. This includes changes needed to ensure other states can adopt
California’s emissions policy. The agency has scheduled a virtual hearing on the issue for June 2 and opened a comment period until July 6.
Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the Transportation Department, did its part under the SAFE rule to reverse the Trumpera emissions policy. It said it was planning to open the requisite 30day public comment period needed before giving states back the authority to set tailpipe standards.
“The unprecedented revocation of the waiver by the previous administration, lacking any modicum of technical, legal or scientific support, cost consumers money at the pump and threatened their health with poor air quality,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “California welcomes the resumption of our decadeslong collaboration with federal partners to develop strong vehicle emissions standards into the next decade.”