White House, California to Discuss Vehicle Emissions Rules Next Week
by David Shepardson (Reuters) California clean air regulators will hold talks next Tuesday with their federal counterparts and the White House over Trump administration efforts to stop Sacramento from adopting tighter vehicle emissions rules than Washington, a spokesman for the state confirmed on Thursday.
The video conference meeting will be the first since Sept. 20 between the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Transportation Department.
…
A senior administration official said the White House expected California to make a counterproposal at the meeting. A spokesman for the California board, Stanley Young, confirmed the meeting but declined further comment.
…
The states, including California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, called the Trump administration proposal “unlawful” and “reckless.” They have vowed to sue if regulators move forward with the proposal.
A group representing major automakers including General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG last month urged Washington “to set achievable future standards that continue to advance environmental and energy goals while recognizing marketplace realities.”
Automakers are urging a compromise on nationwide emissions rules.
…
Trump’s preferred plan would freeze standards at 2020 levels through 2026, resulting in 500,000 barrels per day more oil consumption by the 2030s. It would bar California from requiring automakers to sell more electric vehicles.
The Obama administration adopted rules that call for a nearly 5 percent annual increase in fuel efficiency requirements over that period. READ MORE
The Interaction of the Clean Air Act, California’s CAA Waiver, Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards, Renewable Fuel Standards and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (Advanced Biofuels USA)
