White House Rejects Plea for Emission Deal with California

The White House took less than one day to dismiss yesterday’s plea by 17 carmakers to avoid a legal battle with California over future vehicle emission limits.

The companies predict dire consequences if the Trump administration freezes emission standards in 2021 and abandons the tougher limits currently scheduled to phase in through 2025.

California insists it will continue the current schedule, thereby guaranteeing a lengthy court battle over regulations. Also at stake is the state’s 49-year-old legal powers to set its own pollution control rules. A dozen other states also follow California’s rules.

Federal and California regulators began holding meeting late last year in search of a compromise that would avoid splitting the U.S. market with two sets of emission standards. But the White House called off the talks in February, saying that California failed to offer a “productive alternative.”

The Trump administration used identical phrasing today to reject the industry’s plea. California’s governor reiterated the state’s determination not to yield. The final federal plan is expected to be announced this summer.