AUTO INDUSTRY/CALIFORNIA/CLIMATE CHANGE/ENERGY/EPA/TRANSPORTATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration took direct aim Thursday [8-2-18]at California’s role as de facto auto regulator for the nation, proposing to end the state’s ability to set its own fuel-efficiency standards and to dial back Obama-era limits on tailpipe emissions. The proposal would eliminate the sharp increase in fuel-economy mandates adopted under the Obama administration in collaboration with California. The rules require car makers to boost fuel efficiency to 50 miles a gallon on average by 2025, thereby cutting emissions. The Trump administration wants to cut that to 37 miles a gallon—one of its biggest rollbacks yet of former President Obama’s efforts to fight climate change. It says the prior administration overestimated how quickly consumers would adopt cleaner cars and trucks because, according to the Trump administration, they will cost more. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department say their proposal will help the car industry boost sales by easing mandates and lowering sticker prices to entice more buyers.”
–Timothy Puko and Alejandro Lazo, “Trump Administration Aims to Freeze Fuel Standards, End Tougher California Rules,” The Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2018 8:14 PM