News

EPA Proposes Major Roll Back Of Obama-Era Car Fuel Pollution Rule

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposal to roll back a Barack Obama-era climate change rule related to car pollution that was designed to substantially reduce the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions.

EPA Seeks To Reverse Obama-Era Car Fuel Pollution Regulation

The Obama-era rule regarding contamination from car tailpipes dictated that auto manufacturers must  double the fuel economy of vehicles to more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025.

This requirement would have essentially forced manufacturers to make and sell higher numbers of electric and hybrid cars.

An EPA spokesman said on Thursday the agency submitted its proposal to roll back the rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Scott Pruitt, the EPA administrator, is one of the most scandal-plagued members of President Donald Trump‘s administration, and repeatedly tried to sue the agency before being named to lead it in 2017. In April, he testified before congressional leaders about his involvement in many controversies, which has raised questions about whether he violated federal ethics rules and that have led many lawmakers and political pundits to call for his resignation.

California in particular has been at the center of the national climate change debate, as it sets its own car pollution regulations pursuant to the 1970 Clean Air Act. The state has been one of few to introduce progressive legislation on renewable energy sources behind the leadership of lawmakers and Democratic Governor Jerry Brown, a vocal Trump critic.

Last month, California became the first state to require all new homes to have solar power. It is part of an initiative to make at least half of the state’s electricity to come from non-carbon-producing sources by 2030.

Brown and California’s attorney general Xavier Becerra have stated that if Trump fights the state on car fuel emissions standards, they will counter with any measures necessary including potentially a lawsuit.

California officials and car manufacturers have reportedly been meeting several times over the last few weeks in Washington and Sacramento in order to reach an agreement on fuel economy regulations.

Pablo Mena

Writer for upolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Share
Published by
Pablo Mena

Recent Posts

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Fires 2 Top Aides At Department Of Health & Human Services Amid Growing Internal Dissatisfaction

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired his top two…

3 hours ago

After Wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Files For Divorce On ‘Biblical Grounds,’ Control Of U.S. Senate May Be At Stake

Texas State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-Texas), the wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, said…

4 hours ago

Trump’s Swollen Legs & Bruised Hands Diagnosed By White House Doctor

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after persistent questions about his…

21 hours ago

Trump Sues ‘Wall Street Journal’ For $10 Billion After It Publishes His Letter To Jeffrey Epstein

On Friday, President Donald Trump sued the Wall Street Journal for $10 billion. On Thursday,…

23 hours ago

Congressional GOP Passes Rescissions Package Cutting $9B In Spending, Slashing Public Broadcasting & Foreign Aid In Major Win For Trump

On Wednesday night, House Republicans passed a “rescissions package” that would slash $9 billion in…

1 day ago

Trump Strongly Considering Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell After Consulting With Republican Lawmakers

President Donald Trump consulted with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday about whether to fire Federal Reserve…

2 days ago