Energy
Close up of a red car dual exhaust pipe with smoke around it (Shutterstock/ruigsantos) | Trump Dings Another Emission Rule   Close up of a red car dual exhaust pipe with smoke around it (Shutterstock/ruigsantos) | Trump Dings Another Emission Rule

DOT Repeals Enviro Rule Mandating States Comply With Greenhouse Gas Policy

Chris White
Energy Reporter
10:37 PM 05/29/2018
President Donald Trump’s administration repealed a rule forcing states to comply with a policy monitoring greenhouse gas levels from tailpipes of American automobiles.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) signed a final rule May 22 that eliminates a mandate requiring state agencies to establish emission targets, calculate their progress toward those targets, and determine a plan of action if they failed to make progress during a performance period.

The rule repealed the performance management measure assessing the percent change in tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) measure. It also measured total annual tons of carbon emissions from all on-road mobile sources.

States and other locals across the country can still pursue similar actions locally. The repeal of the GHG measure does not affect implementation of the other national performance management measures states are responsible for administering.

This is one of several regulations Trump’s administration has sought to rollback.

Trump announced in April preparations to scrap an Obama-era rule that would have dramatically ratcheted up fuel efficiency guidelines over the course of a decade. The plan would also target California’s ability to set its own vehicle efficiency standards. (RELATED: REPORT: Trump Prepares To Scrap Obama-Era Fuel Efficiency Rules)

California’s high standards have forced automakers to build more fuel-efficient vehicles, which ultimately effects national efficiency standards. Former President Barack Obama aimed to raise the average fuel economy of automobiles to more than 50 miles per gallon within 10 years. (RELATED: EPA’s Scott Pruitt Begins Repeal Of Obama Climate Regs For Cars, Trucks)

The Golden State got permissions from the Obama administration to issue its own, higher emissions standards.

They require cars get 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The rules would cut 540 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and save consumers money, officials estimated.

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