"WASHINGTON - A group of 20 U.S. states and several major cities on Friday urged the Trump administration to abandon a proposal to freeze fuel efficiency standards after 2020 and strip California of the ability to impose its own vehicle emissions rules.

The states, including California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, called the Trump administration proposal “unlawful” and “reckless” in a 143-page document reviewed by Reuters ahead of its filing later Friday. The states have vowed to sue if regulators move forward with the proposal.

Also joining the effort are the District of Columbia, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco which argue the proposal “would deal a substantial blow in the fight against climate change.” Separately, a group representing major automakers on Friday including General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG said it urged “the federal government to set achievable future standards that continue to advance environmental and energy goals while recognizing marketplace realities.”"

David Shepardson reports for Reuters October 26, 2018. [2]