President Obama Gives Thumbs Up to California Emissions Standard

In one of Barack Obama’s most striking reversals of Bush administration policies, at the outset of his second week as President, he ordered a review of California’s request for a waiver from the Clean Air Act. Should the waiver be granted by the EPA, as is expected, California’s strict tailpipe emissions standards will finally be able to take effect.

The standards, which require a 22 percent emissions drop by 2012 and a 30 percent drop by 2016, are the toughest in the nation, far outstripping current EPA rules — hence the need for a waiver. Former attempts had been delayed repeatedly and finally blocked outright by the administration of George W. Bush.

This waiver, which the President has made a top priority for the new EPA administrator, would have huge ramifications for the auto industry. For example, under the Clean Air Act, if one state is granted a waiver, other states may adopt the same standards without need for further request. Already 14 states have adopted California’s rules with another four more in the process, a number that represents more than half the population of the United States.

And it looks like the time is soon. Senator Barbara Boxer of California, herself head of the Environment Committee, expects a speedy approval due to the fact that every EPA scientist had previously recommended approval of the waiver. Unfortunately, until recently the buck stopped at former Administrator Stephen Johnson, a Bush appointee, who denied the request.

So far, the auto industry has had little to say about the move, most likely due to their fragile predicament and current reliance on government funds. In a statement, President Obama urged that his “goal is not to further burden an already struggling industry. It is to help America’s automakers prepare for the future.” Sounds good.

He further added that “The federal government must work with, not against, states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions…the days of Washington dragging its heels are over.”

In a separate but related memorandum, Obama also ordered the Transportation Department to enact short-term rules for new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks by March 30, 2009. The rules would bring the government into compliance with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). That law states that annual increases in average fuel economy of all American cars must be prescribed by 2011, resulting in a combined efficiency of at least 35 mpg by 2020. The law also states that initial rules must be in place 18 months prior to the model year (2011), which is March 30.

Again, former President Bush signed the law but never actually acted on it. President Obama, however, is taking steps.

And these first two steps regarding energy policy (aside from his economic stimulus package) are bold ones. Both move in the direction of a clean energy economy while speaking soundly to failed, now essentially taxpayer-funded, auto executives, whose companies have at least partially collapsed under the weight of their own gas guzzling trucks and SUVs.

Posted on January 29th in Solar News by Dan.