EPA and NHTSA Announce Intent to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Light-Duty Vehicles for Model Years 2017-2025

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently published in the Federal Register a joint notice describing in broad terms their work on a National Program to improve fuel efficiency and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of light-duty vehicles for model years 2017-2025.  The term "light-duty vehicles" includes passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles.  This Notice builds upon the agencies' prior notice earlier this year for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2012-2016, reported on in this blog here.

The agencies "performed an initial assessment of potential stringencies with annual reductions in the range of 3 to 6% per year, or 47 to 62 mpg-equivalent in 2025, which demonstrates that substantial reductions in fuel consumption and GHGs can be achieved with the use of advanced technologies.  EPA and NHTSA emphasize that this is an initial assessment, and significant data and additional analysis will be done to support the future joint Federal rulemaking.  EPA and NHTSA will continue to meet with stakeholders and assess new technical information as we develop the new proposed program.  Over the next two months, EPA and NHTSA will work to update our analysis of potential standards for 2017–2025. EPA and NHTSA will work closely with [the California Air Resources Board] in developing and reviewing additional technical data and information as part of conducting this more refined joint analysis."

EPA and NHTSA expect to issue, by the end of November 2010, a Supplemental Notice of Intent that will
outline additional details regarding the design of a National Program, including a more refined analysis of potential scenarios for model years 2017–2025 standards for GHGs and fuel economy.  The agencies expect to issue a joint proposed rulemaking by September 30, 2011 and to issue a final rule by July 31, 2012.

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