🚗EPA Proposes Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards
In this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines to effectuate the best reading of Clean Air Act (CAA) section 202(a). We propose that CAA section 202(a) does not authorize the EPA to prescribe emission standards to address global climate change concerns and, on that basis, propose to rescind the Administrator's prior findings in 2009 that GHG emissions from new motor vehicles and engines contribute to air pollution which may endanger public health or welfare. We further propose, in the alternative, to rescind the Administrator's prior findings in 2009 because the EPA unreasonably analyzed the scientific record and because developments cast significant doubt on the reliability of the findings. Lastly, we propose to repeal all GHG emission standards on the alternative bases that no requisite technology for vehicle and engine emission control can address the global climate change concerns identified in the findings without risking greater harms to public health and welfare.
Learn More🚗NHTSA Issues Interpretive Rule for CAFE Program Compliance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is issuing this interpretive rule to set forth the agency's interpretation of the factors the agency is prohibited by law from considering when setting maximum feasible fuel economy standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and other applicable law. This rule describes NHTSA's interpretation of its authority to establish the necessary legal foundation for bringing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program into compliance with relevant statutory requirements. The rule also describes NHTSA's interpretation of its authority for a commercial medium- and heavy-duty (MDHD) on-highway vehicle and work truck fuel efficiency improvement program, also establishing the necessary legal foundation for bringing that program into compliance with the law. Pending the rulemaking process for the establishment of replacement standards, NHTSA will exercise its enforcement authority with regard to all existing CAFE and MDHD standards in accordance with the interpretation set forth in this rule.
Learn More🌱Guidelines for Climate-Smart Ag Practices in Biofuel Production
This interim rule with request for comment establishes technical guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with agricultural production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops grown in the United States in the context of environmental service markets. Specifically, the rule establishes guidelines for the reporting and verification of practices and technologies used in the production of certain commodity crops that result in lower greenhouse gas emissions or increases in carbon storage. These practices are referred to in the context of this rule as climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. The guidelines established through this rule articulate an approach for farm producers to quantify the GHG emissions associated with crops produced using one or more CSA practices. The guidelines also articulate a framework for how information regarding GHG emissions, resulting from the production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops, could be reported and tracked throughout the supply chain.
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