California Receives Approval to Enforce Greenhouse Gas Standards for Motor Vehicles

 U.S. EPA granted California's request for a waiver allowing the state to enforce its greenhouse gas emissions standards for new motor vehicles, beginning with the current model year. 

California submitted its first waiver request in December 2005.  In March 2008, EPA denied the waiver on the basis that California failed to demonstrate that greenhouse gas emissions standards were needed to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions.  In January 2009, California requested the EPA review certain issues pertaining to the denial.  As part of its reconsideration, EPA opened a new comment period, conducted new public hearings, and ultimately reached a new conclusion.  The decision means that California will now be allowed to adopt and enforce its own emission standards for new motor vehicles. 

For additional information on the California Standards, click here. To view the EPA press release, click here.