EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler today expressed hope that California would not sue the agency once it finalizes the rollback of Obama-era clean car rules. "I hope when we come out with our final regulation, California takes a look at it ... and they realize that this is the best regulation for the country as a whole and that they don't sue us," Wheeler said this morning at the Washington Auto Show. "That would be my ultimate hope," the EPA administrator said. EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are in the process of rolling back Obama-era fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for light-duty vehicles. The two agencies are proposing to flatline fuel economy requirements through 2026 and preempt California from setting tougher tailpipe pollution rules than the federal government. A coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit last year over the Trump administration's initial bid to loosen the car rules (E&E News PM, May 1, 2018). California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) has hinted at the possibility of another lawsuit once the rollback is finalized. More legal action became even more likely last month, when the White House announced it was breaking off negotiations with California over the car rules (Greenwire, Feb. 21).
展开▼
