Regulators at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have requested a meeting with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) over proposed plans to ease federal auto efficiency standards. The White House Office of Management and Budget is currently reviewing the U.S. EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposals to revise auto efficiency standards and revoke California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions limits.
In a statement released on June 7, the 12-state Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) expressed support of California’s right to set fuel efficiency standards more stringent than the federal standards. The statement argues that revoking California’s waiver would limit states’ abilities to adopt California’s low-emission vehicle (CALEV) standards and meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. Ten OTC member states – Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont – have chosen to apply CALEV standards to vehicles in their own states. ECOS members have also passed a resolution calling for support of state discretion, the CA waiver, and adoption of the CA standards by additional states.
