"E.P.A. Takes a Major Step to Roll Back Clean Car Rules"

"WASHINGTON — The Trump administration took a major step toward dramatically weakening an Obama-era rule designed to cut pollution from vehicle tailpipes, setting the stage for a legal clash with California that could potentially split the nation’s auto market in two.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday formally submitted its proposal to roll back rules that required automakers to nearly double the fuel economy of passenger vehicles to an average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The rules, which would have significantly lowered the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, were opposed by automakers who said they were overly burdensome.

A spokesman for the E.P.A. confirmed on Thursday that the agency had completed its work on the proposed regulatory rollback and sent it to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Typically that is the final step before a proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. The rules are then open for public comment before taking effect, during which the terms could still be modified."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times May 31, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"U.S. Agency Backs Halting Tighter Fuel Economy Standards After 2020" (Reuters)

"Rollback of Auto Mileage Standards Advances To White House, Bringing Conflict With California Closer" (Washington Post)

Source: NY Times, 06/01/2018