The Trump Administration announced Feb. 20 it plans to stop negotiating with the California Air Resources Board on fuel economy rules designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
California previously filed a lawsuit to block the administration’s proposal to roll back federal fuel economy targets for 2022-2025, and, along with 19 other states, now demands the administration abandon a proposal to freeze fuel efficiency standards after 2020. The administration also plans to remove California’s ability to impose stronger standards.
“Prior to President Trump taking office, California worked with the federal government to maintain one national program for fuel economy and vehicle emission standards, which are set to rise to more than 50 mpg by 2025,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said. “The Trump administration now wants to tear up that common framework by attacking California’s legal right to reduce tailpipe pollution.”
The system is working, Feinstein said. Households are paying less in gasoline, and cars are emitting less pollution, she said.
Feinstein was the lead sponsor of the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act that became law in 2007. The act requires the administration to set the maximum feasible fuel economy standards. The standards are scheduled to increase to more than 50 mpg by 2025.