"White House Presses Automakers To Back Fuel-Efficiency Rollback"

"As the Trump administration races to roll back Obama’s most ambitious climate rule, it lobbies to get industry on board"

"Trump officials thought they were doing the auto industry a favor when they decided to freeze gas mileage standards. But automakers aren’t so sure.

To persuade them, White House officials have launched an intense lobbying campaign as they seek to line up support for a proposal they hope to finalize this summer. The rule, which would undercut the most ambitious climate policy enacted during Barack Obama’s time in office, is sure to set up a legal clash with California and 13 other states that plan to press ahead with stricter tailpipe standards.

In two separate discussions in less than three weeks, according to several participants, the White House has urged major auto companies to endorse the administration’s plan to freeze fuel standards for cars and smaller pickup trucks between model years 2020 and 2026. But domestic and foreign automakers have continued to raise concerns about the proposal, dubbed the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles rule, because California and other states plan to require vehicles in their states to meet tighter emissions limits."

Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis report for the Washington Post March 7, 2019.

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"White House Pressures Automakers On Fuel Rules, Blocking California: Sources" (Reuters)

Source: Washington Post, 03/08/2019