"EPA: Rollback of Auto Rule Seen As Wheeler's 'First Big Test'"

"When acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announces a weakening of Obama-era clean car standards next week, it will be the first major rule rollback proposed on his watch.

EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plan to formally propose weakening the greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards next week, according to an EPA official (E&E News PM, July 19).

The move stands to ratchet up emissions from transportation, which recently surpassed the power sector as the country's largest source of carbon dioxide. It could also lead to a split national auto market and a protracted legal battle with California.

When Wheeler took the helm of EPA on July 9, he inherited several proposed rollbacks from former EPA boss Scott Pruitt, including the high-profile actions to redo the Clean Water Rule and Clean Power Plan."

Maxine Joselow reports for Greenwire July 20, 2018.

Source: Greenwire, 07/23/2018