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Browner: Fuel economy, tailpipe emissions rules to go final next week
The Obama administration plans to finalize tougher auto efficiency regulations next week, White House climate and energy czar Carol Browner said Wednesday.
The joint Transportation Department-EPA rules will boost car and light truck mileage standards to reach an average of 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016. They include first-time greenhouse gas requirements.
The standards represent a deal struck last year between the administration, automakers, and states that were planning to implement their own tailpipe greenhouse gas rules.
The states, led by California, agreed to shelve their rules while the joint national program is in effect.
The White House has frequently cited the new federal rules in opposing Capitol Hill proposals that would overturn EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases. The White House argues that nullifying EPA power would hurt automakers by opening the door to a patchwork of state requirements.
Automakers agree.
