[EPA, 2 April 2018]
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced at the conclusion of the “Midterm Evaluation (MTE) process for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025” that current emission standards (set by the Obama Administration) are higher than necessary. Accordingly, the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will work together to begin a notice and comment rulemaking process to set standards that are in line with the Trump Administration’s views on this regard. Pruitt intends the new standard to apply at a national scale and is meant to encourage the affordability of new cars “while still expanding environmental and safety benefits of newer cars.”