EPA's Pruitt questions CA vehicle emissions regulations

March 20th, 2018 by Dakota Software Staff

The state of California has decades of history regulating the emissions of vehicles used within its borders via the receipt of waivers that allow it to set its own rules, an arrangement recently questioned by EPA chief administrator Scott Pruitt. The leader of the federal environmental regulator questioned the ability of the Golden State to have its own rules for emissions, which have always been stricter than federal guidelines. Although no specific action was mentioned or planned, it's possible that California could lose its ability to regulate emissions and instead be forced to follow national standards in the future.

Potentially wide-ranging implications

"The EPA may not support California's emission waver requests in the future."

California's large population - close to 40 million and by far the largest for any single state - means it serves as a powerful force on the auto market. It has also seen about a dozen other states adopt its stricter emission policies, Green Car Reports pointed out. The disparity between a majority of the country falling under one set of regulations and a significant majority utilizing another helped trigger Pruitt's comments about how California shouldn't be allowed to set de facto national policy as a single state.

"California is not the arbiter of these issues," Pruitt said, according to The Washington Post. "[California's state limits] shouldn't and can't dictate to the rest of the country what these levels are going to be."

Pruitt made the comments during a TV interview and didn't speak to specific policy or regulatory decisions that would provide a specific mechanism or timeline to potentially stop the waiver process for California. His position echoes statements made to the auto industry by the man who appointed him, President Donald Trump. Trump told automakers that he would make it easier to manufacture cars in the U.S. under his administration a few months after he took office.

The rapidly shifting regulatory environment is hard to navigate. In this case, automakers have an EPA head who is receptive to their needs and has inspired optimism. However, the EPA hasn't made any official statements beyond Pruitt's own, nor has it taken any specific action on the issue. With the long-term resolution of the issue affecting the production of millions of vehicles on a yearly basis, it's vital that these companies stay informed of and compliant with all relevant regulations.