The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday made final its decision to move ahead with strict vehicle rules aimed at boosting fuel efficiency and reducing carbon pollution, a year ahead of schedule and despite opposition from the auto industry.
Today’s final determination found that the auto industry can meet the tougher vehicle emission rules through 2025. That will require automakers to sell more small, fuel-efficient cars that lower greenhouse gas emissions and are increasingly powered by electricity.
Under the law, a mid-term review of the regulations was supposed to take place later this year, followed by a determination on whether to make changes to the regulation made next year. The industry says EPA is ramming through the determination before President Obama steps down next week. The rules are part of the president’s climate change agenda and a key part of meeting U.S. obligations under the 2015 Paris climate change agreement.
“At every step in the process the analysis has shown that the greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks remain affordable and effective through 2025, and will save American drivers billions of dollars at the pump while protecting our health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
The auto industry says it doesn’t agree with EPA and vows to work with the incoming Trump administration to scrap the finding and develop standards that match the type of cars that customers are purchasing. Consumers have been buying more SUVs and trucks due to low gasoline prices, which makes it increasingly difficult for the industry to meet the strict emission and fuel economy standards.
“We look forward to working with the federal agencies and California to see whether we can find a prudent compromise path forward that avoids an unnecessary and counterproductive regulatory collision,” said Gloria Bergquist, spokeswoman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
“Our fundamental priority remains striking the right balance to continue fuel economy gains and carbon reduction without compromising consumer affordability and vital auto-sector jobs,” said Bergquist. “The EPA decision is disappointing.”
She said maintaining this “crucial balance requires a midterm review that proceeds on the original EPA and [Department of Transportation] timetable, culminating not now but by April 2018.”
Meanwhile, in a separate decision made Thursday, EPA denied state and industry petitions from over a year ago asking the agency to reverse its landmark climate change regulation for electric utilities called the Clean Power Plan. President-elect Trump has made repealing the EPA plan part of his first 100-day agenda.
