Trump's EPA Readies Plan To Strip California Of Authority Over Car Emissions

The Trump administration will announce it is rescinding California’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles at an event at the EPA’s Washington headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, according to people familiar with the matter.

The EPA intends to announce it will revoke the so-called waiver underpinning California’s power to set vehicle greenhouse gas standards separately from the Trump administration’s broader rule to ease federal vehicle-efficiency standards, which is expected in the weeks ahead, the people said.

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SanJoseDriver - 9/18/2019 1:58:42 PM

-3 Boost

What else is new. CA has so many other options in incentivizing lower emissions. They could tax CO2 with registrations, raise gas taxes, or increase EV subsidies. Continuing to fight this is all for show and a waste of taxpayer funds even if CA wins.

SanJoseDriver - 9/18/2019 7:14:52 PM

-4 Boost

Nah, has nothing to do with Tesla. I'm not a fan of rebates either, but if oil companies are going to get insane tax breaks they help even out the playing field. If a region is really serious about reducing pollution, there are other options. China is going to the extreme and making it difficult to get license plates for new ICE cars.

Truthy - 9/18/2019 4:11:30 PM

+9 Boost

Good, it is the right move. Give the EPA some teeth on this issue. California's separate standards are a resource on automakers. Trump is right on this one.

TomM - 9/18/2019 5:39:10 PM

-6 Boost

This is a fight about executive authority and a state's right their own laws. AS long as California meets the federal standard - it is likely THEIR courts will decide that they can set STRICTER standards due to their particular Air Quality issues. ANd that is going to set up a legal battle which will have to be decided by the Supreme court - eventually - and that will take far longer than Trump has left as president - even if he gets re-elected.

MDarringer - 9/18/2019 7:09:06 PM

+7 Boost

Trump has to hobble California and he will bitch slap California the day after he is re-elected next fall.

California essentially dictating emission standards is unequal protection under the law and thus unconstitutional.

SanJoseDriver - 9/18/2019 7:16:15 PM

-5 Boost

It's not unconstitutional to go above and beyond federal standards. It's the United STATES of America not the United Dictatorship of America.

valhallakey - 9/19/2019 2:41:21 AM

+1 Boost

Not sure how it is unequal protection... but I think gerrymandering could qualify as unequal protection under the law.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/18/2019 8:29:09 PM

-3 Boost

The problem with the legal argument and statements of the White House is that automakers were lining up to agree with California and go ahead with the suggested standard. There was not any pushback or outcry.

Automakers want to get with the times but at a pace they can afford. Moving backwards isn't an option. Nor will it make cars cheaper and safer like the White House contends. It will be fought out in court. Lord knows how long that will take.

valhallakey - 9/19/2019 2:43:33 AM

+2 Boost

Exactly right on there. The German car companies see the future clearly and are getting on board with EVs. In the US we are saying... hey let's produce dirtier cars... actually that is not correct... they are setting MPG standards which can likely only be met by having a good mix of affordable, desirable EVs. I still think it should be emissions that are regulated not MPG.

SanJoseDriver - 9/19/2019 3:00:24 PM

+2 Boost

Agreed.

SanJoseDriver - 9/19/2019 3:01:21 PM

+2 Boost

You're just talking about San Francisco, that is just a city of 800,000 in a state of 39.6 million people.