EPA to revoke California’s power to limit vehicle emissions
The Trump administration on Wednesday will revoke California's power to enforce more stringent limits on vehicle carbon pollution than the federal government, sparking a battle with the state that has led a revolt against the EPA's rollbacks of dozens of environmental regulations.
The long-expected move seeks to neuter California's resistance to President Donald Trump's proposed rewrite of the Obama-era rules that would have required automakers to accelerate the deployment of more fuel-efficient cars and light trucks, a high priority in the state that has led the nation in efforts to fight climate change.The Trump EPA had originally planned to withdraw California's waiver at the same time it issues its broader proposal to roll back federal auto emissions standards. But the administration accelerated its plans to single out California after the state struck an agreement with Ford and three other car makers to continue to lower their vehicles' emissions, even if the federal rules are frozen. California's deal with the automakers recently drew a stern rebuke from EPA and the Transportation Department as well as an anti-trust investigation from the Justice Department.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted the Trump administration for undermining its efforts to cut pollution and fight climate change.
“The president could learn from California," Newsom said in a statement. "Instead, reports today suggest that his administration will act on a political vendetta by announcing they intend to end aspects of our clean car waiver."