U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that his administration will finalize its rollback of Obama-era automobile emissions standards next year and expected it would provoke the latest legal challenge by California.
The administration had pointed out in recent months it could finalize its proposed revisions to the requirements prior to the end of 2019. The administration has argued that the rollbacks are required for economic and safety reasons but California and environmentalists decline that analysis, saying costumers would spend hundreds of billions more in fuel costs.
In August 2018, the administration proposed freezing vehicle performance requirements at 2020 levels through 2026, which would lead to in average fuel efficiency of 37 miles each gallon (mpg) by 2026, compared with 46.7 mpg under rules adopted in 2012. The Trump administration’s “preferred option” would increase U.S. oil consumption by about 500,000 barrels per day by the 2030s but decrease automakers’ regulatory costs by over $300 billion.
Republican Trump has looked forward to reverse his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama’s climate change policy, which was intended at decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump stated on Friday that the dispute was over “a tiny amount of fuel – of which we have plenty.” He stated the rules would result in having “safer and more affordable vehicles.”
Trump, without mentioning any evidence, stated the existing rules would require “extra computers put on the engine.”
The administration has stated the rules would decrease traffic deaths as it would slash future vehicle price increases and prod speedier purchases of safer vehicles. But some EPA staff disputed that contention, as per the documents released 2018, arguing it would actually result in more traffic deaths in some years because of a boost in vehicle travel.
Last month, California and 22 other states took legal action to challenge the administration’s decision in September to revoke California’s authority to set stiff vehicle tailpipe emissions regulations and need an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles.
Major automakers – consisting of General Motors, Toyota Motor, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV – supported the administration’s effort to bar California from setting tailpipe standards.
