According to Bloomberg’s sources, the EPA will recommend the cancellation of California’s authority under the Clean Air Act.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will argue that a 1975 law prohibits California from regulating GHG emissions from vehicles.
The agencies will claim that the regulatory rollback will result to an increase in U.S. oil consumption by around 500,000 barrels per day. Additionally, they will argue that it will reduce the prices of new vehicles and lessen the number of traffic deaths.
“Outrageous Attack on Public Health and States’ Rights”
Dan Sperling, a member of the California Air Resources Board, rejected the Trump administration’s plan.
“We have the law on our side, as well as the people of the country and the people of the world,” Sperling said.
However, Frank O’Donnell, president of Clean Air Watch, said, “This is nothing less than an outrageous attack on public health and states’ rights.”
O’Donnell added that it is a “dumb move” by the Trump administration, saying that it “will lead to an emissions war.” The battle will be between “progressive states” and the “reactionary federal government.”
