After years of legal dispute, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson yesterday announced the agency had granted the US state of California a waiver to tackle GHG emissions from cars. The waiver could set precedence throughout the whole country and could lead some other 13 states to adopt these standards.
After thorough consideration of scientific findings and a pressing call from President Obama, the EPA has agreed for California to adopt its own set of regulatory proceedings for GHG emissions. One month after Obama announced its new fuel efficiency standards, the combination of both could lead to a 30% GHG cut in 2016.
Waiver granted after thorough scientific findings
"This decision puts the law and science first. After review of the scientific findings, and another comprehensive round of public engagement, I have decided this is the appropriate course under the law", argued Lisa Jackson on 30 June.
The standards will cover 2012 through 2016 model year engines. The waiver will put an end to a lengthy 8-year battle between the automobile industry and environmental protectors. While California was denied the waiver in the past, it jumped on the opportunity of a new greener administration and within one week of official investiture, had already stated its case. Hence, in February, President Obama called on the EPA to assess the state’s case as soon as possible.
The new standards could pave the way for more lower-emitting MACs. R744 MACs would help deliver these new standards as current R134a has a GWP of 1400 compared to R744 GWP of only 1.
California setting the standard
“The burden is on those that object. This is a welcome step toward improving automobile emissions, which is an absolutely necessary step toward widespread carbon dioxide reductions”, added Lisa Jackson.
The rules in California will cut emissions from new vehicles by 14 percent from 2008 levels in 2011. States can now choose to either adopt federal standards or those set by California. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia should be adopting the California rules in an effort to combat global warming.
In May 2009, Obama announced new fuel efficiency standards covering model years 2012-2016 which will require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016, about 10 mpg more than today’s standards. California’s emissions rules are expected to be congruent with the new federal fuel economy standards and both standards should lead to a GHG 30% cut in 2016.
