There's an agreement between federal officials and state of California on a timeframe for proposing future fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for cars and light trucks.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Golden State will propose standards for model years 2017-2025 by September 1, 2011.
Officials say that signals continued collaboration that could lead to an extension of the current National Clean Car Program, providing automakers certainty as they work to build the next generation of clean, fuel-efficient cars. Improving fuel efficiency, they maintain, will save consumers money at the pump, reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and cut emissions of harmful pollutants.
Federal, state cooperation
"The single timeframe is another great example of the cooperation that has led us to strong and achievable standards for clean cars in America," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "I'm proud to be working with my federal and state partners on this next step in the process to make the U.S. the world leader in fuel efficient clean cars."
The announcement is a big step forward, but it is only the beginning, according to Transportation Secretary LaHood. "By working together with EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop standards for the next generation of clean cars, we can set a standard that works for automakers across the country. Our continued collaboration is win-win-win for the environment, businesses and the American consumer.”
CARB Chairman Mary Nichols calls it "a model of government cooperation to address the important issues of global climate change and urban pollution.”
Background
In April 2010, DOT and EPA established greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and fuel economy standards for model year 2012-2016 light-duty cars and trucks.
That fall, California accepted compliance with these federal GHG standards as meeting similar state standards as adopted in 2004, resulting in the first coordinated national program. The standards require these vehicles to meet an estimated combined average emissions level of 250 grams of carbon dioxide per mile in model year 2016, which is equivalent to 35.5 miles per gallon.
In May 2010, President Obama announced that EPA, DOT and California would begin working together to assess the performance and costs of a variety of technologies that could be available in model years 2017-2025 as the first step in possibly extending the current national emission and fuel economy standards. The three agencies completed an interim technology assessment and have since funded additional research critical to future rulemaking.
With this announcement, CARB commits to continue its collaboration with DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Prior to the announcement, CARB announced its intention to propose greenhouse gas emission standards for model years 2017 to 2025 in March of this year, while EPA and NHTSA were working on an end of September timeline for proposal. Now, the proposals will come out simultaneously after a thorough, joint review of all data available when the proposals are issued.
