On Wednesday, President Trump barred California from setting its own vehicle emissions standards, kicking off a battle that is likely to last beyond the 2020 presidential election.
“The Trump Administration is revoking California’s Federal Waiver on emissions in order to produce far less expensive cars for the consumer, while at the same time making the cars substantially SAFER.” President Trump tweeted announcing the move to block California from setting their own vehicle emissions standards.
“This will lead to more production because of this pricing and safety advantage, and also due to the fact that older, highly polluting cars, will be replaced by new, extremely environmentally friendly cars.” Trump continued.
“There will be very little difference in emissions between the California Standard and the new U.S. Standard, but the cars will be…”
“….far safer and much less expensive. Many more cars will be produced under the new and uniform standard, meaning significantly more JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!” President Trump said.
“Automakers should seize this opportunity because without this alternative to California, you will be out of business.” He said.
California will sue immediately setting up a battle in the courts.
The state of California originally was granted authority to set tougher standards as an acknowledgment of the poor air quality in cities such as Los Angeles, as NBC reported.
Responding to the reports that the White House was preparing to follow through on plans to eliminate that waiver, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement warning the move “could have devastating consequences for our kids’ health and the air we breathe, if California were to roll over.”
The administration is engaged in a “witch hunt against California and carmakers,” said the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit advocacy group, picking up a phrase that President Trump often applied to the Mueller investigation into possible collusion with the Russians.
Few weeks ago, the Justice Department announced an antitrust investigation into the deal reached with California regulators by four automakers — Ford, VW, Honda and BMW — that would have them hold to stricter emissions and mileage standards than the Trump administration is expected to set under the revised CAFE mandate.
