EPA's Internal Advisory Board Recommends Investigating Science behind Auto Emission Rollback

by Miranda Green (The Hill) The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) is recommending a review of the agency's decision to roll back a prominent Obama-era policy on auto emissions.

The independent group made up of researchers and scientists wrote in a May 18 memorandum first obtained by Bloomberg that the department's justification for changing the rule should be reviewed. as should a number of other EPA policy rollbacks.

Questions the group posed to EPA included asking what the repercussions to deploying the new fuel standard may be and how they could best be mitigated, and what the current barriers to consumer acceptance of "redesigned or advanced technology vehicles" are and how those could be overcome. READ MORE

Excerpt from Politico's Morning Energy: MARK YOUR CALENDARS: EPA air chief Bill Wehrum and NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King will appear on the Hill next week. The pair will testify before a pair of House Energy and Commerce subcommittees at a June 20 hearing on the Trump administration's rollback of Obama-era auto emissions standards, a committee spokeswoman told Pro's Anthony Adragna.

Also appearing at the hearing : California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, CARB confirmed to POLITICO Wednesday night. Nichols and other state officials have vowed to fight the rollbacks in court. Federal officials often get the privilege of testifying on separate panels from other witnesses, but if Nichols and Wehrum end up sitting at the same table, expect sparks to fly. The committee said Wednesday more witnesses will be announced soon.

In addition, EPA said it will add a new initiative at the suggestion of public comments targeting aftermarket defeat devices for vehicles — equipment that can be installed after manufacture that improve engine performance by bypassing pollution controls. READ MORE