EPA and NHTSA Establish New Standards For Light-Duty Vehicles To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

On May 7, 2010, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to establish a national program consisting of new standards for light-duty vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy.  These standards apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016.  One of the purposes of the rule is to allow automobile manufacturers to build a single light-duty national fleet that satisfies all requirements under both programs while ensuring that consumers still have a full range of vehicle choices.

EPA and NHTSA established two separate sets of standards, each under its respective statutory authorities.  EPA set national carbon dioxide emissions standards for light-duty vehicles under the Clean Air Act.  These standards will require these vehicles to meet an estimated combined average emissions level of 250 grams/mile of carbon dioxide in model year 2016.  NHTSA set Corporate Average Fuel Economy ("CAFE") standards for passenger cars and light trucks.  These standards will require manufacturers of those vehicles to meet an estimated combined average fuel economy level of 34.1 mpg in model year 2016.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.