In summary
President Trump traveled to Detroit today to announce that his administration was shelving the Obama administration’s aggressive fuel-economy standards for cars—standards that California has been relying on to spur the production and sale of energy-efficient, electric and hybrid cars, thus reducing greenhouse gases.
President Trump traveled to Detroit today to announce that his administration was shelving the Obama administration’s aggressive fuel-economy standards for cars—standards that California has been relying on to spur the production and sale of energy-efficient, electric and hybrid cars, thus reducing greenhouse gases.
The Trump administration says it will re-evaluate the standards over the next year. The President told automakers his priority was freeing them of regulations so they could build more cars. “If it takes an extra thimble of fuel, we don’t want that to stop you,” he said.
It was seen as an ominous sign for California, which had compromised with automakers and the Obama administration and resisted setting its own miles-per-gallon standard because the federal government adopted a higher standard nationwide. With the Trump administration appearing ready to unwind that deal and lower fuel economy standards, California is expected to invoke its right to seek a waiver to keep the higher standards. If the Trump administration refuses, that could ignite a lengthy court battle.
“If Washington continues down this road,” Gov Brown wrote to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, “California will take the necessary actions to preserve current standards and protect the health of our people and the stability of our climate.”
The Los Angeles Times also reported that state Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed legal action this week asserting its need for more stringent emissions rules. “Any weakening or delay of the national standards will result in increased harms to our natural resources, our economy, and our people,” the filing says.