Industry News: Coalition of States File Suit Against the EPA Over Emission and Fuel Economy Changes

[William Maley]

The past month has been quite strenuous on the relationship between the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California. Back in April, EPA chief Scott Pruitt announced they would be rolling back the fuel-efficiency regulations set towards the end of President Obama's tenure. The EPA also announced that it was considering revoking California's waiver to set their own emission standards. A few days later, we reported that the officials from the White House, California, and automakers were trying to work out a possible emissions deal to prevent a legal fight. It seems those talks went nowhere as California along with sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have filed suit challenging the rollback.

On Tuesday, the collation led by California filed a suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging the rollback. This group makes up 40 percent of the U.S. auto market.

"The states joining today's lawsuit represent 140 million people who simply want cleaner and more efficient cars. This phalanx of states will defend the nation's clean car standards to boost gas mileage and curb toxic air pollution," said California Governor Jerry Brown in a statement.

The suit alleges that the EPA decision to roll back the regulation lacked any scientific reason. The EPA is also accused of failing to follow its own regulations and violating the Clean Air Act.

“This is California saying: You really want war? We’ll give you war. It’s a signal to the administration that they’re not going to get away with anything in this space,” said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign to the New York Times.

According to Reuters, the Department of Transportation has a draft proposal of the changes that is expected to be released to the public later this month. The draft would freeze emission requirements for vehicles at 2020 levels through 2026. The draft also asserts that the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 bars California from imposing their own rules, even with the waiver. This proposal has already earned the ire of the public and various members of the U.S. Senate. One Senator, Tom Carper, D-Delaware obtained a copy of the proposal and sent a scathing letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Pruitt. 

“Such a proposal, if finalized, would harm U.S. national and economic security, undermine efforts to combat global warming pollution, create regulatory and manufacturing uncertainty for the automobile industry and unnecessary litigation, increase the amount of gasoline consumers would have to buy, and runs counter to statements that both of you have made to Members of Congress,” wrote Carper.

There is a lot riding on this suit as it could possibly cause the U.S. to have two different emission regulations and automakers having to meet both of them.

"Enough is enough. We're not looking to pick a fight with the Trump administration, but when the stakes are this high for our families' health and our economic prosperity, we have a responsibility to do what is necessary to defend them,"  said Xavier Becerra, California state attorney general. 

Yesterday, the White House announced that it will be meeting with leaders of the major automakers next week. The meeting will be talking about the planned changes to the fuel efficiency rules. It is expected that automakers will be trying to push the Trump administration and California to agree to a national standard.

Source: New York Times, Roadshow, Reuters, (2), U.S. Senate (Carper's Letter)

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[smk4565]

What I don't understand is how California is the 6th largest economy in the world and they don't have coal mines and shale oil fracking, and they have high taxes, high regulation on pollution and guns, and legalized marijuna.    According to Fox News low taxes, fossil fuels and low regulation is the way to grow an economy.  ?   Worked wonders for West Virginia, Kentucky and Mississippi. 

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.  But California will win this lawsuit because of CARB and the fact that these rules were previously agreed to by auto makers.  And it wouldn't surprise me if California come 2030 bans sale of gasoline cars all together and then automakers have no choice but to go EV, because you can't ignore 40 million people in the richest state in the country.

[regfootball]

well, this is what they want people in.  or they will tax the living sht out of you.  there's reason the ridiculous fuel economy standards are there.  punish you either way.  comply and drive the crackerbox or pay through the but in taxes and fines if you want a truck or something.

Sad thing is the Ecosport is such a pile of crap with poor mpg and no power

 

 

Edited May 4, 2018 by regfootball

[riviera74]

Maybe instead of an Ecosport, seek superior alternatives.  As for California vs. Pruitt's EPA, expect CA to win in court.  The only way Pruitt wins is if ALL emissions regulations and CAFE standards are repealed by Congress, and apparently there is no appetite for doing either one.

[balthazar]

The draft would freeze emission requirements for vehicles at 2020 levels through 2026.

“Such a proposal, if finalized, would harm U.S. national and economic security, undermine efforts to combat global warming pollution,

 create regulatory and manufacturing uncertainty for the automobile industry and unnecessary litigation, increase the amount of gasoline consumers would have to buy, and runs counter to statements that both of you have made to Members of Congress,” wrote Carper.

Guess we're doing all those things right now; why'd they wait to sue?

[Guest Scottzilla]

11 hours ago, smk4565 said:

What I don't understand is how California is the 6th largest economy in the world and they don't have coal mines and shale oil fracking, and they have high taxes, high regulation on pollution and guns, and legalized marijuna.    According to Fox News low taxes, fossil fuels and low regulation is the way to grow an economy.  ?   Worked wonders for West Virginia, Kentucky and Mississippi. 

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.  But California will win this lawsuit because of CARB and the fact that these rules were previously agreed to by auto makers.  And it wouldn't surprise me if California come 2030 bans sale of gasoline cars all together and then automakers have no choice but to go EV, because you can't ignore 40 million people in the richest state in the country.

So California was always high tax, and high regulation?

you know CA is losing population and is fiscally unsound right? Why don't you compare CA to TX or Fl nstead of picking on WV? Which has always been poor.

[Drew Dowdell]

California is not losing population.

https://sf.curbed.com/platform/amp/2018/5/2/17312954/california-population-2018-count

 

[smk4565]

California paid $405 billion in taxes to the federal government in 2015, they are what drives the federal government, only 2 other states even topped $200 million (Texas and NY).

And besides the economic influence, CARB was around before EPA, so CARB can do what ever it wants, CA won't change their rules, and in court California will beat the EPA.

I think we should get rid of CAFE all together and raise federal gas taxes another 25-50 cents, and put that money into the crumbling roads we have.  

[smk4565]

Update, California has passed the UK as the 5th largest economy in the world.

[balthazar]

Sure, with the highest population, your going to see the highest revenues. But CA was only #9 on median income in 2015.