Trump Signals Rollback on EPA Vehicle Regulations
The Trump administration, in conjunction with new EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, is expected to begin dismantling regulations on vehicle pollution and other policies related to global warming. Specifically, the administration is expected to rollback regulations governing tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions and to revoke California’s waiver to enforce even stricter tailpipe standards. These policy changes come after a coalition of 17 US auto companies told the administration in two letters to Pruitt that standards under the Obama administration were too technical, burdensome, and costly. Former Obama administration figures criticized the change in position, citing environmental concerns and market competitiveness. For example, former senior EPA official Margo T. Oge argued that the US will not be able to compete globally if it does not move toward electric vehicles. The Trump administration will be able to rollback tailpipe standards by withdrawing the Obama administration’s requirements and replacing those with new standards within one year.
