California Challenges Trump on Emission Rules

The California Air Resources Board has approved the same U.S. carbon dioxide emission targets now under review by the Trump administration that would require passenger vehicles to average more than 50 mpg by 2025.

The state ruling sets up a confrontation that could lead to stricter standards in California than are required elsewhere. Under the U.S. Clean Air Act, California is allowed to set its own emission standards.

CO₂ emissions are directly related to fuel consumption for vehicles that burn gasoline or any other carbon-containing fuel. The current nationwide schedule for lowering allowable CO₂ emissions were agreed to by carmakers in 2012 with the proviso that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency review the feasibility of the 2022-2025 limits no later than April 2018.

The standards set average fuel economy goals of 34 mpg by the 2016 model year and more than 50 mpg by 2025. In January EPA proclaimed the latter target “feasible, practical and appropriate” only days before Donald Trump took office.

Trump, who has described the agency’s Obama-era rulemaking as “out of control,” announced two weeks ago that EPA has rescinded its January decision and reopened a review of the upcoming goals.

Carmakers oppose the standards as costly and ineffective. EPA under Trump administration leadership is widely expected to agree and could freeze fuel economy requirements at their present level.