In keeping with this Orwellian scheme, what if Trump and the Titans of Silicon Valley, Exxon, Defense Industry and all those other Invisible Fiends that rule us awoke tomorrow or the next day to "not a creature was stirring," silence and open freeways...a massive strike, the likes of which the planet has never seen..don't start the car...let's all sit at home and contemplate what comes next. Brave New World.
18
Trump is at war with any kind of progressive thought, mainly because he isn’t sharp enough to discern good ideas from progressive ones. I remember seeing the air we breathed as a child in the SF Bay Area. I also remember when that stopped in the late 70s. Only someone really foolish would want to go back.
24
Stop subsidizing big oil. Let the free market dictate our energy choices. Pay for your carbon footprint.
10
It appears we elected a king, not a president. If there was ever any doubt about the man's mental condition, this last decree seals the diagnosis. I hope California and the other states will continue to defy the madman in the White House. He just gave Democrats a winning campaign issue if they know how to implement it.
20
Chaos is descending upon the United States with the rise of the Trump Dictatorship supported by all the shameless Republican minions. Cory Gardner, are you going to stand up for Colorado or stick with these climate deniers?
15
Leave California alone! We are stronger than Trump! There’s a reason people move here, live here and stay here. We have Governor Newsom who allowed the first gay marriages and he cares about the state and Californians which is why our environmental laws have teeth. We have legal cannabis for medicine and recreation. We have some of the strongest women in government;Pelosi,Waters, Feinstein, Harris etc. We voted against Trump so now he’s trying to punish us! Start impeachment soon is what California wants!
16
Interesting how even the major utilities can see the loss of huge investments in sustainable power - Trump is mindlessly interfering with private and public investments merely to satisfy his thirst for political revenge against CA and all things Obama - how absurd:
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/19/09/17/pseg-joins-battle-against-repeal-of-obama-era-curb-on-power-plant-pollution/
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/19/09/17/pseg-joins-battle-against-repeal-of-obama-era-curb-on-power-plant-pollution/
9
Really emotive language in the headline and article body-- could the author try to be impartial, your readers are smart enough to make up their own minds.
1
The actions of a petulant child
8
Speaker Pelosi, is it time to impeach President Trump yet? Ineptitude and stubbornness have a price, and America is going to pay dearly for your adamant refusal to do your job.
7
Really now Trump wants to overstep state rights again...... theres no limit to his madness.
7
If only we had a real democracy instead of this tyrannical fake one. Then, this lowly man would never have become president and the SCOTUS would actually represent the will and perspective of the American people. The current state of affairs is utterly disgusting. This tyranny of the clueless needs to end.
7
I guess it just shows Trump’s petty stupidity that he wants to remove homeless people from Los Angeles because they’re an eyesore to his rich friends, but it doesn’t occur to him that those friends won’t like living in the toxic yellow haze of smog that used to, and could again, blanket the whole LA basin.
5
Everything Trump touches dies.
For "everything" read THE PLANET.
8
This is Trump at his worst. In his mind no one, but no one, defies him. Not even a sovereign state of some 40 million Americans. This is how sick this man is.
Trump's answer to every unpleasant situation, whether it be caught red handed lying to the public or whether predicting the storm path of a hurricane, is to to double down.
Trump is sick. He is a sick human being with not a single control governing his behavior. His majority in the Senate, rather than calling him out, hunkers down in abject fear of him.
Remarkable.
12
Just another assault on the "liberal elite"...a trophy he can boast to his base at the next rally.
4
What is there to be gained with this? What?
4
Insanity. There is nothing else to say about it.
5
While they know better than to admit it, many evangelicals may well be enraptured to elect their antichrist, believing Jesus will come back for them. They don't care if they leave nonbelievers behind on a decimated planet.
5
The man has got to go. He’s a disgrace as are all his cronies and enablers. I hope to see them all in prison at the end. What a destructive and awful legacy these Trump Republicans are leaving behind. May they live in infamy in our history books.
7
Once again Trump voters (Republicans), you own this. Have fun explaining your support to your children and their children.
6
States can ban abortion but not pollution
5
This move is to create more profit for the auto and fossil fuel industry. Trump thinks the stock market going up is his key to another term in office. Amazing how increasing the wealth of the uber wealthy even more is supposed to represent a better quality of life for the average working person or the patient suffering from COPD.
Stupid is as stupid does, Mother used to say.
8
RESIST........
This man is an anathema....his ignorance and pettiness is astoundingly horrifying....He has no future, hence, he cares little about ours....RESIST
5
one more reason to get this idiot and his cohorts out of the white house. where can we contribute to a California defiance fund?
6
With every clearly ego-driven decision he makes -- like this one -- based in revenge and ignorance, he adds to a long list of his stupid, groundless declarations -- useful to throw back at him during the campaign. Reminders to everyone the real time consequences of electing into the highest office an emotionally unstable person. And the real time consequence of not voting.
4
Trump: Human Wrecking Ball.
6
Trump is actually trying to roll back the Obama presidency. I think he dreams of ways to make Obama's election, presidency, and very existence disappear. I have never witnessed a president so hell bent on undermining everything his predecessor has accomplished. And, yes I do believe his motivation is racist and xenophobic; I don't believe he would respond this way to a white Democrat whose name is Anglo Saxon name.
7
Don Trump and his Crones must be really unhappy angry people. They have more than they need and it is still not enough.
They take their anger out on all around them.
In my opinion, he has declared war on his own species.
In any other time in history he would be on trial for war crimes.
But I hold Congress responsible above all. They, our elected representatives, worries more about their own butts than the country they swore to protect.
A urge all believers in the founding principles of this country to fight for those principles and get rid of you congress who has more allegiance to money and party than to you.
2
And......Backing Nero on fiddle will be Donald Trump!!!!!
3
The wild one is hell bent on destroying the planet. Does he not realize that the scientists have not located another planet to support his unworthy life! In the meantime, the country is for sale to those who are attempting to undermine our government or, in a King analogy, break the beam of light that holds this democracy together.
3
Am I wrong in thinking that states have autonomy in exceeding federal laws, as long as they meet the minimum standard set by those laws? For example, the minimum wage rate set by the federal government is far below that set by several individual states. who Does Trump have the power or even the right to tell those states they have to lower their minimum wage?
10
This administration only wants to interfere in a state whose laws that don't match their agenda. Aren't Republicans supposed to be about less federal government? Some states have more pollution than others so they need more restrictions. And states with less population will also breathe easier. Fresher air is a good thing Mr. President.
6
Someone please explain to me why this has standing.
I do not understand how a state can be prevented from higher standards than the federal law.
8
The EPA has revoked California’s authority to set its own vehicle administered standards.
California can obviously challenge this executive order in court but that process would drag-on for years.
Alternatively, the state of California could work around the EPA by immediately instituting a new $5,000 automobile sales tax on all vehicles which is to be designated for “infrastructure improvement.” Concurrently they could instituting a new $5,000 state tax credit for all vehicles which meet their strict emission standards.
As states have the right to set their own state tax rates, the Federal Government would be unable to block the State tax increase and rebate, and the would continue to promote cleaner vehicles.
11
@Hayward Zwerling
Excellent Point.
2
I find it unfortunate that one man can have such a big impact on the future of our planet. Trump's opinions on climate change are archaic and scientifically incorrect.
I feel so disgusted knowing that my younger generation will have to face future negative impacts caused by his reduction of environmental rules.
Maybe if Trump would be living in 50 years, he would have a different tone. It is crucial for states to fight back against his irrationality. Good on you California
112
once again the trump administration has declared itself the enemy of the people, endorsing global warming, and even of the world. to be determined is the role to be played by our federal courts. will they elevate politics above the health of the world?
8
If anything, Trump should be making the rest of the states meet California's standard.
Why? I really think he's mentally ill, and that it manifests in an evil desire to end the human race.
11
leave it to trump, profiteer extraordinaire, to turn back time, at a time of perilous need to move forward. there is no cause that can explain his moves, only profit for campaign contributors to the same shameless cause. what kind of world are we living in? i'll tell you..........the most uncaring world. this is not the world i desire for my grandchildren.
5
We all know that states rights are only for Republican issues, such as controlling women's reproductive rights. So California let's make this a woman's reproductive issue. We all know pollution kills. It's just a short step from that particular fact to pointing out to Republicans that pollution kills fetuses just as effectively as abortion. Hopefully, that should get Republicans fighting tooth and toenail against Trump's ridiculous vendetta against California. One can hope, but of course nothing affects Republicans nowadays other than the pursuit of money and power.
7
More egregious behavior from Trump. Not only is he someone who doesn't believe or know science, he's so incredibly petty that he lashes out at those who did not vote for him and never will vote for him. California 2020 is not going for Trump. Thank goodness.
5
EPA: Environmental Pollution Agency
3
How can the President or EPA “override” federal law? Doesn’t Congress have the power to pass laws or do we now live with a King?
5
Isn't it the GOP that's anti-big government???? Guess like being deficit hounds, that's gone now too huh?
5
Re: "...The formal abolishment of one of California’s signature environmental policies — tailpipe pollution is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States — will be announced Wednesday afternoon at the Washington headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency,.."
One is reminded of the 'Ministry of Love', ('Mini_Love'), in Geo. Orwell's classic, '1984'!
Reminder: In '1984', Mini_Love is a Guantanamo Bay / Abu_Gharaib - like torture facility surrounded by machine gun nests!
3
I wish we could have a snap election and be done with him...
7
This is a horrendous development. First, because it is bad for all of us; second, because if Trump wins reelection next year, this will be the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Our climate, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, will be part of a national agenda that wants to give business free reign, no matter how much damage occurs. People will get sicker, and they will have to spend more money on health care as a result. Cataclysmic. This vision for America--and the world--has to be defeated. And in a very, very big way.
92
The auto company that markets itself from here on out as the auto company that will continue to develop its products to the highest environmental standards despite what may happen with laws and regulations will be the auto company that most succeeds in the market of the future.
9
I call for all auto makers to publicly declare, in opposition to the WH, that they intend to continue working towards the current goals for the good of the people, country, planet, and yes, even their business. Let us hear your voice. Because apparently businesses are the only voice this WH and GOP Congress listen to. They consistently ignore what the majority of the American people want.
12
Some may consider this issue as a continuation over the battle associated with climate change, but it really is not. It is about making our environment cleaner. As a child growing up in the rust belt of Michigan I clearly remember dirty water, air, and roadsides. At that time there was a coordinated effort to improve all of these concerns. It certainly had no political underpinnings. Today we have much cleaner air then back in the 1960’s and water quality protections have improved but clearly we still have much more that we can do as we hand the planet to future generations. I would encourage all those engaged in this conversation to consider moving the discussion away from climate change (which of course there is substantial evidence to support) towards a cleaner environment. This simple change may help courage a more open and less contentious dialogue.
3
California's market drives the industry by its size and sophistication. It has led the introduction of positive things: seat belts, new technology, and now emissions. This has driven investments in batteries for electrical vehicle and storage of electricity from large scale battery farms. This is private industry, international trade, and new technology driving the economy forward. Even Canadian industries were lining up with these developments and provinces were aligning their regulations to be part of the future. Unfortunately, our "conservatives" are drinking the Trumpian Kool-Aid. Have we all forgotten that the Republicans were once the party of free trade and private enterprise a and not supporters of crony-capitalism.
9
Odd how the Republicans go back and forth on local control. It must all depend on how the Koch family and other billionaire donors want it.
11
The one group he cant stop are the Car Companies Why cant they agree to follow the current standards, and manufacture one product for the country Cant see GVT demanding the production of a lesser product than Companies want to produce
4
Suggest viewing of George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road" to anyone who wants to understand Immortan Don's motivations.
5
It would appear that the president and the GOP only support a state’s right to govern themselves as long as that state toes the conservative line. He is a mean spirited, spiteful soul, and anyone who supports his agenda doesn’t have a shred of decency left nor care what future they leave the next generation.
10
Typical Trump. A guy who can't admit a mistake about the pathway of a hurricane certainly can't change his mind about pollution standards set in a state where the citizens strongly support California's progressive policies.
9
Trump wants an American civil war.
How else can his inconsistent and divisive ideas be construed? He is carefully plotting interventions, both legislative and hypothetical, in an inspired attempt to bring American division to its logical conclusion: civil war followed by an eternal coporatocracy.
The first in history, founded by D. J. Trump, genius, savant, greatest businessman of all time.
Of course, he may just have dementia.
7
We need the names of those big money folks in California who are donating to Trump at the same time he is working to destroy Californians.
11
Scott McNealy, founder of Sun Micro for one
1
Yes. Exactly.
1
I hope that names of those who attend the California fund raiser are revealed so all their neighbors know who is fighting against them.
11
Once again rightist republicans decide against "states rights" when it suits them.
7
The actions of President Trump are caused by his conceit, anger, and ignorance.
They have no basis in good governing are even good sense.
8
Auto makers will just go ahead with the agreement they made with California on mileage/emissions anyway, regardless of Trump or the EPA. Japan and China will gladly step in and take market share in CA if US auto makers balk on CA agreement.
9
I await the administration's rollout of an environmental standard mandating that 50% of all new cars be coal-fired. In California, it would be 100%.
Our president's actions have the full support of GASP (Grateful Americans Supporting Pollution).
9
First, what legal authority is the Trump administration (Executive Branch) relying on to revoke California's waiver? The Clean Air Act (CAA) specifically gives California the right to seek waivers, and EPA's role is to evaluate those requests and either grant or deny them, presumably based on careful analysis. Once granted, these waivers have never been revoked, but the process to revoke a waiver should also be based on careful analysis. The administration can't provide justification for rolling back the standards, so instead they want to revoke California's legal right to waivers. When did the executive branch gain the power to change laws enacted by Congress? This move seems to be a clear violation of the Constitution.
Secondly, if the administration successfully blocks California from enacting stricter environmental regulations in this case, it will set a bad precedent for a variety of stricter regulations used by the states. California's high population, climate, topography, and economic activities make it more vulnerable to air pollution problems, and there are still many non-attainment areas in California, where existing CAA standards are still not being met. How is California supposed to ever meet CAA health standards if Trump illegally revokes California's ability to set standards within state boundaries? Tailpipe emissions are a major contributor to non-attainment. Trump shouldn't be allowed to take away the best tool CA regulators have to protect our air.
7
As a native son, I've seen smog that appeared in layers of crud in the air, I've been in the LA Basin when a "clear day" was less than two miles visibility, so I know exactly what benefits of California's stricter emissions standards have given.
What trips me out is that the sycophants posing as agency lawyers and administrators for that 'man' in the White House continue to believe they can ignore, by executive fiat, long standing law. This rollback will last about two hours in the 9th Circuit...and if the Supreme Court's conservative justices are truly letter of the law constructionists, just a little bit longer on the administration's appeal.
3
The well being of all that inhabit this beautiful earth and the earth itself are pitted against profits in the Trump administration and elsewhere in the world. They are bringing life to the edge of destruction. No one is coming to save us. We have to do something ourselves and those who attempt to do so are being thwarted. Where are the visionaries? We seem to have an abundance of people in power steering us toward destruction. There are great minds and hearts in this world who have to bring a wave as large or larger to shift this trajectory. Can we do it?
8
The end result of this move, should it be upheld in the courts, is that California-like standards sooner become Federal standards. In its rush to trample on states rights somehow to punish California, the Trump administration forgets that its power is temporary and that the waiver system of the 1970 Clean Air Act was a battle forgone that as much allowed some states lower standards as California and others higher ones. Without the waiver system, the battle for clean air moves fully to the Federal level and, as the pressure of climate change will not ease up, the triumph of much more stringent standards is all but assured. The major automakers have already read the writing on the wall, globally not just nationally, and are not going to back off plans and investment for aggressive pursuit of long-term higher efficiency and lower emissions for the illusory enjoyment of a Trump reprieve that will be reversed by the next Democratic president and even likely the next Republican. Of all the things associated with combating climate change, polluted air is the easiest for voters to see and understand. Any victory now for Trump and his diehard polluter donors will prove a pyrrhic one: all states will be forced to comply with uniformly higher standards. Electric cars and trucks, like those light bulbs Trump imagines make him look orange, will be everywhere.
4
Not only does man-caused global warming not exist, but it is also the scientific hoax of the century, with redistribution of wealth and achieving world government its goal. It is manufactured “science” by the United Nations IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) based on their flawed “climate models.” Science is not about consensus; it’s about verifiable facts and truth.
Here are some facts:
The highest temperature ever reported was 136 degrees Fahrenheit in Libya in 1922. The record high temperature for the United States was 134 degrees Fahrenheit in Death Valley, California, in 1913.
The worst hurricanes happened in the early 1900’s:
The “Great” Galveston Hurricane of 1900 (by far the deadliest natural disaster to impact the United States.)
Miami Hurricane of 1926.
Okeechobee Hurricane of 1928.
Weather records over the past 100 years show no correlation between rising carbon dioxide levels and local temperatures.
At the 2015 Paris COP-21 conference John Kerry admitted that even if all industrial country emissions were zeroed out, it would mean nothing for the climate.
So tell me, what is the point for all this?
Wake up, people!
1
hottest years on record are in the last decade. we are dicussing global temps not local. galveston death toll was due to no warning and a city below sea level. and the arctic temps have risen five times faster than the rest of the world. see vostok ice cores for sharp co2 temp correlations. wake up people indeed.
1
@MariaMagdalena
... and, moreover, let's all stop pretending the world is a sphere! Wake up sheeple!
In order -
1) Record highest temperatures represent single data points which are not indicative of broader trends. If you don't trust the UN IPCC - literally the largest gathering of international climate scientists in the world - NASA also says that global average temperatures have risen .8 degrees Celcius, and 2/3rds of that warming has happened in the last 45 years: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/DecadalTemp.
On average, moreover, as of Feb 2019, the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 were the hottest than any on record and 2019 will likely be just as warm: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/02/2018-fourth-warmest-year-ever-noaa-nasa-reports/
2) The destructiveness of hurricanes is the product of multiple factors including infrastructure, response, and preparation. The Galveston Storm was not a strong as Hurricane Dorian, but Texas was unprepared for it, hence the destruction. It is also only the deadliest in the US, which is not the whole world. Hurricane destructiveness and deaths are bad metrics for measuring climate change.
3) Your last point is verbatim from a conspiracy theory website:
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/12/10/again-why-are-we-there-john-kerry-admits-at-cop21-that-us-emissions-cuts-accomplish-nothing-for-climate/
Kerry is speaking to the global scale of climate change, not the lack of causation.
But, gee. Didn't da prez just say, “right now we have the cleanest air and water on the planet...” (press conference at the G7 summit in Biarrit, France.)
Hey! Whaddya mean we don't? Don't you believe him? Now, why would he lie about a thing like that? Oh, wait...
4
I want to breathe dirty air, don't you?
3
So he is hell bound on shattering state's autonomy rights, huh.
He did say he wouldn't honor rules or laws that have been held sacred by nearly all other presidents in this country if he didn't like them.
Trump said a lot of stuff during the debates that it seemed no one took seriously.
He was campaigning after all and folks campaigning say a lot of stuff.
He also said that he'd have no problem with the US, the US mind you filing bankruptcy if we couldn't pay our bills.
And what is he doing?
Adding so much to our already exploding deficit that will make it harder for us to meet our obligations in the future.
So much for that free college tuition and free health care business.
And If that's the case, and you think the little guy is not going to have to pay more in taxes, think again.
And the killing part is, as this stuff is going on he is stepping all on the legislative branch and the emoluments clause in our Constitution.
From now on every unscrupulous pol that follows Trump will have precedence to fall back on.
AMERICA WAKE UP!!!!
3
This is just another indication that Trump and his cabal don’t give a rat’s rear end about the American people - not what they want, not what they need, not what’s good for them. And if you doubt that, consider this: yesterday in multiple news outlets Trump was quoted as basically saying that one reason homelessness is bad because the homeless park their sorry butts in the doorways of expensive buildings and that bothers rich people. I’m not making this up. Even Fox News reported it.
Vote for ANY Democrat in 2020 like your life depends on it. Because it does.
5
Shame on Mr. Wheeler. He is supposed to be the frontlines of our environmental crisis. Instead he's playing as yet another puppet. This seems like a fictional novel it is so unnerving. Giving the speech at the EPA? What a slap in the face.
1
Donald Trump hates California.
And the feeling is mutual.
9
(one of ) The new slogan for the 2020 Republican Election? "Say no to Clean Air". followed with "My name is Donald Trump and I approve of this message".
3
Hope all you younger folks get out and vote in 2020. Your life depends on it.
10
THANK GOODNESS! It's too late to save the '72 Citroen I had to sell out-of-state due to CA's onerous bureaucracy, but maybe we'll now be able to bring in more collectible vehicles that were, up to now, impossible to register in CA.
And we can stop this stupid and expensive "49-state vehicle" designation because they can't be sold in CA.
CARB needs to be dissolved.
you may have to change your car collecting hobby so the rest of us dont choke on your smog.
1
I find it utterly amazing how much energy this administration uses to make things worse.
6
Trump hates the environment and the planet. How nice. How nice for all the MAGAT's who voted for him. They must hate the environment too.
Of course...it's not so much that Trump hates the environment...it's that he doesn't care. His only concern is himself. If his supporters were in favor of clean air, he would be too. As the article says, Trump is doing this to punish California because it didn't vote for him in the last election and won't vote for him in the coming election. And that's how Trump views any state that didn't vote for him. That's why Trump's tax plan for the wealthy hurt the blue states more than the red states.
We are at war with Trump and the MAGAT's. It's way past time to realize that fact. It's way past time to take a stand or the country and the whole planet will be lost. The confederacy and the 4th reich are rising. They need to be squashed back down. At the very least, people with a conscience need to vote out every republican. There's not a good one among them. Not one.
4
Looks like California has a lot of celebrities who at some point turned their noses up at trump. He must keep a list of all those he must get vengeance on. There is no world view here. It's a tepid reality show actor being a thug. That's all he is. Save yourself some time and skip an analysis. His entire presidency is based on his imaginary conquests of those he felt were 'unfair' to him. It's truly grotesque. To think that we will all suffer, as will the environment, for ratings. Ewwww.
5
Enough said. Vote this man out and kick his crooked cronies out of town. (Shouldn’t be too hard if the Democrats come up with a sensible/rational platform that can be substantiated mathematically on the revenue side).
2
God forbid that clean air should waft its way into Nevada and Arizona. This interstate threat requires the federal government to step in.
Trump is finally literally a waste of oxygen.
4
The silver lining of this decision will be an acceleration of the move towards fully electric vehicles. In his attempt to support the oil industry Dolt 45's move will backfire and help to bring on its demise even faster.
3
It's odd that Republicans favor federalism over state's rights w.r.t. California's Clean Air standards.
The GOP demands states individually decide legislation regarding issues like gun safety, access to contraceptive services including abortion and "religious liberty" (discrimination) when it works for their political benefit. California's clean air regulations are stricter than Trump's deregulated federal car emissions rules which is legally permissible and impacts only California residents which makes this action purely political.
Shame on the Trump Administration, but sadly they have no shame.
3
Maybe I just don't understand federal law, but why can't California simply ignore this and maintain its standards? Let the Feds take THEM to court for violating this ridiculous order. I'd love to hear the Justice Department justify the rationale and logic behind ordering California to increase its car pollution.
California, Governor Newsome and AG Becerra should simply stand up and say: "California's emission standards stand as written, for the safety, health and welfare of the residents of California. Cars that do not meet these standards will not be permitted to be sold in California. In addition, we will honor the agreement made between us and the four auto manufacturers who agree that these standards are a vital part of combating global warming, and expect they will honor it as well. This is a state's rights issue, and we intend to hold our ground. We will not sacrifice the health and well-being of our residents to the petty vindictiveness of Donald Trump. If the Trump administration has a problem with this, they can file suit and we'll see them in court. We look forward to challenging their assertion that polluting the air by lowering emission standards is in the best interest of California and the US."
I just don't see how the feds can possibly force California to accept higher level polluting cars. Resist.
7
Class action lawsuits for damages . Holding those individuals responsible financially is the only way to change their behavior.
What amazes me again and again is how ONE man can
undo SO MANY regulations in our country.
Something is really wrong, we go forward then fall backward again, instead of slowly moving toward common good.
6
If successful, this act by Trump will pave the way for the next Democratic president to require the states to enact strict gun controls -- everything that every sane person has ever wanted. While he/she is at it, the federal government will launch sweeping changes to voting for every federal office, requiring paper trails and one system for voting, not 50.
The next Democratic president needs to be as bold as Trump in sweeping away as much as possible that the Trump administration did. Fire up that Executive Order pen!
2
Why are republicans so eager to destroy the environment? I remember the ‘70’s & ‘80’s in places like LA and Denver where just going outside was a heath hazard. Is the president trying to emulate China where you have to wear masks to go to the store? Thoughtless and base are kind descriptions.
5
It seems this President's defining premise for governing is spite.
6
As a child of the 50s in Los Angeles I suffered respiratory problems from polluting autos and backyard garbage incinerators. The LA basin is unique for trapping smog and air pollution and required aggressive standards and the advent of catalytic converters to cleanse the air. Making California hostage to federal environmental standards is as nonsensical as making the US hostage to Trumps environment destroying standards. May the courts save us from this madman’s wrath.
5
Let's see if he'll put his money where his mouth is - let's attach the tailpipes of all his family's limos to the bedroom windows of his grandkids and let the cars run all night for ten years. Then we'll see is he's right that the pollutants from cars are harmless. Good luck little trumpers.
Unbelievable! Score 10 for the Trump administration standing against the states in order to increase dirty air and contaminated water in this country. Oh, I really want to vote for a party that does that!
California used to have really terrible air that severely affected asthmatics and people with respiratory problems, and the state worked hard to reduce air pollution.
California is an earthquake state too. What is Trump going to do? Provide incentives to construction companies to build along the earthquake fault lines! Forest fires? Perhaps give everyone hiking into California's forests a can of gasoline and packs of matches.
Until Trump is out of office (it really can't happen fast enough), change the name of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the Environmental Pollution Agency.
2
This is an obvious attempt to cause harm to people and the environment for the sake demonstrating power. Like other actions of the Donald, it is driven by hate.
4
Just what everybody has been clamoring for! More pollution and less gas mileage!!
3
Trump knows he’s already won. This will get fast-tracked to ‘his’ Supreme Court and they will deliver for him yet again.
1
Even if one concedes (and this is a big "if") that man made green house gas emissions have no impact on climate change, what is the downside to cleaner air? In the 50s, 60s and 70s, before stricter emissions standards were put in place, the air in and around California metropolitan areas was actually painful to breathe. Nobody in their right mind would prefer to live that way.
1
What is preventing auto makers from meeting or surpassing California's proposed XX mpg mandates? They are admitting that it is technologically feasible within the prescribed time limit. So, why do they need ANY governmental pressure to do what they are capable of doing? It is bogus for them to sheepishly comply with California's XX mpg or Trump's YY mpg depending upon who swings a bigger stick. In fact, they should aim for ZZ mpg and ignore political whims.
1
CA has the right to regulate (?) air quality. But, I'm not sure they have the right to regulate emissions from cars sold across state lines. By doing so, they interfere with interstate commerce and collude with specific auto manufacturers for a potential monopolistic situation.
Why not regulate emissions/mileage per gallon over time, where residents must purchase cars that meet that limit over a time period, where current cars are grandfathered to avoid forcing consumers to purchase new cars. By signing up automakers to 'allow' them to sell in CA vs. regulating emission limits that a manufacturer (any) decides to meet in order to market in the state, I think they've over-stepped. They have the right to regulate, but not collude (potential anti-trust).
What if both the State of California and multiple auto makers simply decided to voluntarily meet these same standards on their own? They wouldn't even have to collude, since the target emissions/mileage would have been published previously. Nothing works better than smart people working in concert, voluntarily.
2
Yesterday, I took a boat ride along some of the limestone cliff inlets on the mediterranean coast of southern France. There is a cave in the Calque de Morgiou, discovered in 1985 by a diver, in which there are stencils of human hands along with paintings of a multitude of animals dating from 19,000 to 22,000 years ago. The entrance to the cave is now 100 meters below sea level.
What will be above sea level when the rest of the polar ice caps melt? Or will the entire globe be a desert?
I know - the earth has made many drastic changes. Never before have humans been signing their grandchildren's death warrants.
1
I'll always remember a young mother as I drove by an LA mall in 1970 frantically trying to soothe her infants stinging eyes from smog so thick it looked like amber fog. I never want to see another tragedy like that, and I'm forever grateful Thomas Jefferson and others insisted our new government must include a bill of rights that Jefferson wrote Madison from Paris "puts a legal check in the hands of the judiciary." We'll see Republicans in court at every turn they try the terrorize Americans like that young mother I saw 50 years ago.
7
The tighter regulations will be decided by the free market. In Europe, most car manufacturers are improving their milleage consistently because it is what consumers desire. When Trump decides to roll imrpoved milleage back for American Manufacturers, when the consumers searches for a new car guess what they will do: choose the American one with 25 miles to the gallon, or the Foreign car that gives 40 miles to the gallon?
The recent turmoil in the Middle East points to gasoline prices reaching higher despite the US being a bigger oil producer. (That does not mean we have excess capacity for gasoline; we have not created a proportional number of new refineries).
Does Trump really think that we will exporting many more less fuel efficient vehicles than what we produce now?
4
What’s wrong with these people? We all breathe the same air!
11
Amazing. The American government officially adopts the position that less pollution is a bad thing. And the all the Trump apologists can spare me the quibbling. Bottom line -- President Trump supports -- and in fact intends to impose -- policies intended to cause cars to emit MORE toxins into the air we breathe. And you guys voted for this lunatic?
16
@curious You probably know this, but the majority of American voters did not vote for Trump since he lost the popular vote. We face an uphill battle to get him out of office given the electoral college. I completely agree that it's dumbfounding that anyone would have voted for Trump and would vote for him again, but it's the situation we are in because our country is so polarized and uneducated folks are buying into Trump's fear tactics. I personally don't know what I will do if he gets re-elected, but will do what I can to donate, volunteer etc to get him out of office.
8
A strong majority of us did NOT vote for the lunatic. He is in office because our classist founding fathers didn’t trust the common people to make intelligent decisions and saddled us with the electoral college system.
4
@Cad Lib
Yet if the EC had done the job they were intended to do, they would have selected Hillary as President since Trump would be detrimental to the interests of the USA.
The EC isn't the problem, the EC not doing their job is the problem.
November 2020 can't come soon enough.
9
This is a crime against humanity.
9
The Great Destroyer taking us back to the 1950s.
7
Next I expect Trump to mandate cars that burn high sulfur coal.
To my mind, he and the Republicans are ecoterrorists interested only in supporting their oligarchs and could give a fig about the health and welfare of the citizens of US.
Vote them out of office in 2020. Our lives depends on it.
10
Trump's edict to revoke California's ability to set strict auto emissions is only one target of this administration's heinous attempt to attack the liberal state. If this keeps up California should secede from the Union and form its own country, therefore starving the other 49 states of the nation's bread basket. Trump can't have it both ways. Other states similarly attacked by this myopic, sadistic administration should do the same.
4
Aren’t State’s rights a cornerstone of conservative values?
14
Given the incompetence of the Trump Administration, their attempt to modify the authority of CA will fail, just as they have lost virtually every attempt at revoking regulations to date.
2
Republicans have made themselves the anti-environment party. This is a needless provocation and a sign that they not only don't care about the environment, they actively disdain it.
5
It is clear that this administration does not represent a government of the people, by the people, for the people. They don't value the lives of our citizens, including our children who are our future. The gun lobby is so much more vital to their destructive and ignorant policies, if you can even call them that. I ask all those who voted for Trump whether they support this destructive path. You voted in a man who doesn't put in a days work, tweets incessantly, verbally attacks anyone who happens to be on his radar at any given moment, and holds these embarrassing rallies. Is that what you expect of your President? Their only mission is to undo anything the past administration accomplished. Come 11/3/2020 let's put an end to this nightmare!
4
What would happen if the States and Auto Manufacturers ignore Trump? How would he enforce his mandate? Send federal marshals? Is it time for Americans to "take to the streets"? Not physically. Civil Disobedience. Trump has serious mental problems. How long will it take for Congress to send this playing-at-President man home?
6
Mr. Trump again shows that the consistent theme unifying his every action, word, and tweet is to cause as much chaos, destruction, and death as possible. He and his enablers are doing all in their power to destroy the America we know.
This unifying theme is among the most compelling arguments that Mr. Trump is a Russian asset. His GOP Collaborators enable him because they know that ongoing Russian interference is their only way of preserving their political power.
Future historians -- if there are any -- will ravage America of this era because the evidence of this treason surrounds us and yet we do nothing to stop or slow it.
We are living the death of the American republic.
5
So much for states' rights. Clearly, Trump's government only wants states to have rights if they (a) do what they're told and/or (b) approve of the rights involved.
Such rank hypocrisy. But I am not optimistic that anyone will notice or care if they do notice. How much blind loyalty will be given to Trump before his so-called base wakes up? Or are they destined never to realize the extent to which they have been led down a garden path?
4
Trump claims that we have the best air quality and water ever. Of course that fact is true because of the current environmental laws that have been in effect for years.
Dismantling the current regulations will not be felt for years. Do not these Trumplicans have children and grandchildren?
Trump famously said “ I won’t be here then.” It’s all about him.
3
LA was unbearable before the air cleaned.
Chicago improved too.
$5 seeks votes?
1
Please let us know the names of the automakers that said they would put into effect the higher standards no matter what Trump does. We should only buy from them.
8
"In a speech on Tuesday, Andrew Wheeler, the head of the E.P.A., said, “We embrace federalism and the role of the states, but federalism does not mean that one state can dictate standards for the nation.”
That would be news to the Texas textbook industry.
4
What must be kept in mind here is just how many states up and down the Atlantic seaboard have their EPA regs based on CA rules...if Trump were to succeed, it would have a huge domino effect, even more destructive than folks imagine.
2
How ironic that the President should seek to strip a state of its regulatory rights! Traditionally, the states are weaker in their regulation of otherwise untamed forces -- that is why Trump and his fellow casino owners were so delighted when the Supreme Court turned regulation of the gambling industry back to the states-- once again, Atlantic City (formerly nearly moribund) has sprung back to life! But consistency, as Emerson (or was it Thoreau?) said, must be the hobgoblin of little minds, because now Trump is all in favor of letting the Federal government (meaning him) determine emissions standards for automobiles....
2
What made us believe that a President with the lowest possible standards would not push to lower EPA’s standards down to his level?
3
Look at all the commenters responding here to a single Times environmental story. And fast. It'd be a punch-in-the-gut move taking us further into the furnace. I think it also echoes a recent poll finding, that a majority of Americans are ranking our environmental plight their #1 or #2 concern. Please, NYTimes, keep on top of this, even if it's to the exclusion of Trump grunts on Twitter.
7
@Peggy Rogers
And note that while most articles of this type (exposing whatever abomination Trump is up to) bring out a few defenders I have yet to read one comment that backs up this proposed plan...
1
Trump's toad army doubles down on bad ideas again. Scott Pruitt was ousted because of embarrassing behavior, not bad ideas. Andrew Wheeler is another Republican apparatchik put in Pruitt's place for his history of defending coal and oil companies in his law office.
The irony here is that market and technical forces are freeing us from the internal combustion engine. Mercedes Benz announced it will stop developing new gas powered engines and focus on hybrid and all electric vehicles. Four leading car manufacturers support California's stricter than average emission standards. Not to mention the people of CA who have to live with the pollution from 40 million inhabitants in dense urban corridors built around 24 hour parking lots known as "Freeways". The irony of a comb-over acting as presidential playboy with the frat house donuts is we all have to live with his choice of who to shake it with. Andrew Wheeler probably drives a Tesla because it's the most expensive car he can get in his suburban car dealer miracle mile.
4
No, not going to happen. For Trump to think that his agenda is going to dictate the air that Californians breathe is unthinkable.
3
California has been a leader in this field. Add Canada to the states that follow California. If manufacturers follow Trump they will likely have to kiss goodby sales in Europe and other countries. Well done lying trump!
3
If California's vehicle emission standards are overridden by the Trump administration this will be the largest most egregious example of an "IMPERIAL PRESIDENCY" ever. Next they will permit carcinogens from fracking to enter drinking water and radioactive waste to escape into the surrounding environment from power stations. WAKE UP AMERICA before it's too late.
3
What Trump is doing is to undo anything Obama put in place. Obama is the focus of all his resentment - the complete opposite of what Trump is. An educated, articulate and refined man. A solid family man with no scandals. And what's worse is that he is Black. And that makes Trump seethe, just as it did to his supporters, who could hardly wait to see Obama voted out of office and "put back in his place". Combine that with the desire to get in the face of anyone with intelligence and left leaning ideas (and these days anything that is not far right is considered dangerously leftist) and you are left with this recipe for disaster.
8
You bring up the crux of this whole issue: It's purely political. I don't know if Trump himself believes in Climate Change. His supporters cheer whenever he undoes ANYTHING Obama accomplished.
2
As long as people keep voting then in, as they just did in NC.
1
The Trump Environmental POLLUTION Agency is alive and well.
5
Nothing could be more Orwellian than the name of the EPA. For the duration of this presidency, let's rename it the Environmental Destruction Agency
4
Just try. We will resist.
1
Bottom line for trump: support the bad, destroy the good. It’s that simple.
2
Whatever happened to "States Rights" How arrogant can the Trump administration show itself to be?
2
@RLW True, but didn't "States Rights" get us the Civil War?
How does making the air filthy and watching millions die of emphysema and other pulmonary disorders make America great again?
5
@H. Clark - Birth control Republican style.
4
37 to 54.5 miles per gallon.
Almost a 50% increase in mileage -- or, in Trump-speak, "a tiny little fraction of gasoline".
How many is it now -- have we passed 15,000 Trumpy lies yet?
2
What is wrong with Trump and his cronies? While I agree that climate change is not entirely caused by humans, it is certainly sped up by humans. If we can do what we can to slow it down, why wouldn't we? Wouldn't it be better for all of us to err on the side of caution when it comes to the climate change debate? I just don't understand how someone can be for pollution—it's mind boggling. California is doing the right thing.
144
@Lynn Precisely. It is truly hard to envision a downside to cleaner air and water.
21
@Lynn If climate change is not primarily caused by humans, what else is it caused by? Other natural phenomena, e.g., volcanoes, natural forest fires, etc. have always been with us. The only new news are the 7.7 or so billion humans and our cattle and land clearing and use of fossil fuels, and, and, and.
29
@sloreader
Profits for the fossil fuels industry are diminished. Bummer for the Koch Bros.
10
Fracking does release methane gas, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, released in April 2019, U.S. methane emissions declined 15.8 percent between 1990 and 2017, while natural gas production increased by 51 percent.
More energy, less methane and carbon. Sounds like progress.
Not sure we trust EPA 2018 or 2019
Trump should be required to watch the movie ‘Erin Brockovich’ and we should all insist that all of the water supply to the White House, all of his resorts and towers, etc. be brought in from Flint or from West Virginia coal country groundwater. Air should be piped in from diesel exhaust, coal fired power plant smokestacks, and the like, and food should be sourced from Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima exclusively.
Or, he could just start to care about the world we’re leaving to the next generation.
4
I don't understand why it would be a "nightmare" for the auto industry should the thirteen states, including California, win the Supreme Court battle. All the auto makers have to do is adhere to the higher emissions standards in their manufacturing plans for all cars, instead of just 30% of them. What's the problem here? States that do not adhere require stricter emissions standards will benefit from new vehicle standards, as will the people who live in those states. Cars might be a bit more expensive but fuel consumption may go down and, in any event, prices are rising because of trade war.
6
@EMiller
They would all have to do it. Otherwise the ones who do will be at a disadvantage to those who don't. It takes money to design cars to these standards, and you get a lot more driveability if you don't have to conserve fuel.
This is not the end of the world.
California is a state — not a country. Their uniquely strict standards cause the car companies to significant change their national supply chain to meet CA needs, which drives up vehicle costs across the country. GM doesn’t even build cars these days — only trucks and SUV’s. Will CA force them to build small dangerous cars as another Liberal mandate?
1
Obviously you see this in a bias way, liberals being the problem, Obama ‘s standards the real problem...
With Japan manufacturing cars with low emissions standards, that’s the goal to match or better them, not what Trump thinks!
5
@Dr. John
No, fuel efficiency standards have risen along with vehicle safety.
American automakers who do not keep reducing fuel consumption will find themselves out of business.
I am not a lawyer, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this set up a situation wherein if California wins in the supreme court, the GOP has greater legal precedent to fight for states rights against federal mandates in the future?
In other words, could a potential win by California in the supreme court jeopardize hard-won federal victories in LGBT marriage, land protections from drilling/logging, women's reproductive freedoms, other environmental protections, etc? Would the California v Trump EPA case pave the way for erosion of other freedoms in the name of 'state's rights?'
3
You pulled the curtain back. Of course if California wins, liberals lose. This non issue about mileage standards that won’t take place for years is a setup.
Yes, you are right that California’s “victory” would be a victory for states’ rights. As well it should be. Over intrusive Federal laws, rules and unfunded mandates need to be checked. This is more than just about Trump. It’s about excessive centralization and curtailment of our rights.
We live in a backwards country, always with the tendency to look to the past instead of the future. This is but one example. Our auto industry is once again generating outsized profits from sales of pickup trucks or vehicles based on pickup truck design. This killed GM once and will kill both GM and Ford when the next gas crisis comes. California should lead the way in the enactment of a carbon tax on fossil fuels. That would better equate the cost of gasoline to the environmental cost of burning that gasoline in our vehicles. That would level the playing field with renewable energy.
3
For an administration that has botched Middle Eastern affairs, blown up world trade with ill-considered tariffs, and started trade wars with Canada and Europe, simply trying to make the air quality of the most populous state less safe is a minor matter.
Making a list of Trump scandals and mistakes is exhausting.
7
Coming after his attempt to restrict the professionals at NOAA, this action by Mr. Trump and his White House as well as their research into removing the homeless into "housing" frightens me as much as anything he has done or proposed. The phrase "Our Dear Leader" begins to resonate in a country I had always felt was safe, secure against despotism. Even when disagreeing with Republicans, I believed they were steadfast in protecting the rule of law, in conserving the integrity of our way of governing, in upholding states' rights. Apparently, I was wrong. So I have to ask: who are these people??
8
Let's see if I get this right: An administration in Washington that is Republican -- a party that loathes federal regulation -- is demanding that a state pollute more? Decreed by none other than the EPA. Does anyone else see the many levels of irony in this situation?
13
Not irony; tragedy.
2
Doesn't this set a precedent for the erosion of state's rights and a gradual takeover by the federal government of the ability of states to govern themselves? Where is the outcry from the Right? Where are the defenders of states' rights? Imagine if Trump suggested he'd do the same thing, only in Texas and he said he would revoke it's authority to set it's own policies regarding gun control.
14
Republicans don’t believe in states’ rights when a state does something they don’t like.
4
Man. How is this guy Trump still even in office. He's atop the most self-destructive American government I have ever seen.
Time for the Republican party that enabled Donald Trump's accession to stand up and disavow him as their standard bearer (using the term loosely) for 2020. There must be a few leaders there who are still possessed of some sanity and respect for the Constitution and the country.
Cancelling primaries? Wrong way for the GOP to go!
12
Considering Becker’s statement, “Trump has married his administration-wide hostility to the environment to his personal vendetta against California,” it is time for Congress to resurrect Article One of the US Constitution because waiting another year for the election just may be too late. It’s no longer just the Republic. The planet is at stake. This is not an alarmist speaking. The danger is real.
6
Great-- let SCOTUS yank California's air quality standards-- that will give the next Democratic administration precedent to change state gun and abortion laws.
Alternatively, the Supreme Court can further invalidate itself and declare it capture by GOP interests.
7
I hope all the manufacturers just implement their OWN stricter emission/efficiency rules (adhering to California's stated goals), And SELL the nation on their corporate conscience.
4
California shall and must carry out its policies that protect its citizens and the environment; as well as set forth a procedure for other states to follow! It is clearly plain to anyone with thinking capabilities that Trump and the Republicans are out not only to enrich themselves, but to destroy this country as well!
As the old saying goes, "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country!"
232
@Gwendolyn California needs to play hardball for all of us. They have the economic clout to do so.
49
@Gwendolyn
wonder if trump is going to go after the RED states that are putting the same restrictions on emissions as California or just California? And yes there are other states doing the same thing as California.
14
Excuse me but what happened to states' rights? If Trump wants to foul his own nest fine; he can start with raw sewage around Mar-a-Lago. But he cannot tell California to pollute its air, just as he cannot force U.S. automakers to abandon emission standards that make them competitive with foreign brands.
10
I can think of nothing better to say than - what is wrong with Trump and his administration?
Why anyone would choose to make the air, water and earth dirtier is beyond me. To say that humanity is not responsible for climate change is one (silly) thing. It is another entirely to not wish for a clean environment.
Sigh.
9
Why is the Trump administration waging war against the environment? A national tragedy. A clear and present danger to our fragile planet.
14
The only question about this matter is what the Constitution says.
1
Sadly perhaps, the Constitution is moot on the subject of cars and matters pertaining to pollution. It does however describe each slave as 3/5 of a human being and for bearing arms only in well regulated militias. But our politicized SCOTUS has declared corporations people and money, protected speech. Maybe it’s time to toss both of them (the Constitution) and SCOTUS out completely since they’re both ignored anyway.
3
@Dr. John
Actually, it's long past time to update that document.
In the rapidly changing modern world, that sort of document probably needs updating every 5 or 10 years.
The news headlines need to change. All of the retrograde changes that Trump is pursuing need to bear a headline more like: "Congressional Republicans Again Remain Quite as Trump Tramples Moves to Revoke California's Ability to..."
Trump is a petty, impulsive child who is motivated only by his desire to punish those who have spoken against him or of whom he is envious (California being in the former category, Obama in the latter). The blame for all of the negative consequences of his destructive tantrums rests on the Republican's in power, who are happy to sell a democracy down the road for a tyrant, as long as it is a Republican tyrant.
7
Republicans... the party of small government and state’s rights?
10
Every day it becomes more obvious...the Russians got exactly what they wanted in helping to elect Trump.
12
California should go to court and fight this ridiculous authority by the Federal Government. Why do we need EPA for now? next thing you know, this Administration will jump and tell the States that they do not have to abide by the clean water regulation.
5
To the Trump and the rest of the GOP states rights only matter sometimes. I hope the American people see the hypocrisy of the Republican Party.
8
You folks don't get it. The madman thinks he is a dictator; and if his dictatorial powers are tested in court, the ruling junta, Roberts, Thomas, Alito. Gorsuch and Kavenaugh will make it so. We can start with impeachment and see how every demand for a court ruling gets fast tracked to this gang of Trump loyalists. Our only hope is that the Chief Justice is a patriot. You know a patriot, a person who puts the interests of the USA over the interests of his party or his personal fortune. What is the opposite of a patriot? People like Dear Leader Trump and Moscow Mitch and his foot soldiers in the Senate.
5
What kind of a human being is in favor of dirtier water and dirtier air? This man has no soul.
13
We have a choice as to which cars and trucks we purchase. My family bought an all-electric Chevy Bolt two years ago and we love it! Our solar array produces more than enough electricity to power the car and our home. I encourage everyone who has to have a car to make their next vehicle an electric one.
Automakers are now manufacturing more electric cars and more gas-powered cars with better mileage. Ignore Trump.
6
It is time for buyers to establish their own personal standards, and stick with them when buying a car. The buyers and their dollars have the ultimate say.
3
All of our states are part of our union and together bound by our constitution. As part of our constitutional republic, we have common sets of laws and regulations to facilitate commerce and freedom between states.
We cannot have states going off our common requirements on nationally regulated issues such as automobile emissions nor on other matters contained in our Bill of Rights. This creates chaos that diminishes freedom and unnecessarily drives up complexity and thus costs for everyone.
@ Juergen, Not so fast, we allow that for all types of laws and rules, most particularly for guns. Ever hear of states rights? It’s always a loud argument by conservatives until states don’t do what they want them to do.
12
This article is deeply confusing and probably deserves a rewrite.
The US Clean Air Act - Section 209 - allows California to seek a waiver allowing it to set emission standards for new motor vehicles which are stricter that current federal standards. Once the EPA grants the waiver, other states are then legally allowed to adopt California's new stricter standards.
Unilaterally revoking California's rights granted to them by legislation passed by Congress is not among the many authorities granted to the Executive Branch.
So, here's my confusion. Are you saying the EPA is threatening to revoke the rights granted to California under Section 209 of the Clean Air Act? Or are you saying that the EPA is threatening to revoke one (or all) of the waivers they've been granted to set new vehicle emissions standards?
Given this Administration's tenuous relationship with the law, neither option is outside the realm of possibility. This is why I hope you'll provide a little clarity.
Thank you!
8
I agree. The NYT was once an authoritative source of information and now with retractions, clarifications, and headlines meant to provoke rather than inform, I often find myself less informed than needed. So the same question arises: revoking California’s single waiver or revoking its entire authority to obtain waivers at all? Whichever it is I don’t see that 50 years of continuously improving air quality is a sound reason to remove protections for our health here in California. But for godsakes stop the echo chamber twitterized stories. Last warning before I cancel my subscription.
1
@Dennis canceling your subscription seems a little extreme. I haven't found any national reporting on this topic that does a better job than this article.
But this is a chance for the Gray Lady to step up and provide some important clarity!
The distinction between trying to eliminate California's authority granted to it by Congress or revoking previously granted waivers is NOT trivial.
Section 209 of the CCA is already confusing, which is why the same tired arguments about "two systems" "states shouldn't act alone" and "confusion for the automakers" get trotted out every time the issue of California's wavers make it into the news (which thankfully is not often). For example, the same argument were made when W Bush tried denying California a waiver back in 2007 (https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/washington/20epa-web.html).
This is why I'm finding the confusion in the article so frustrating.
Or perhaps the Trump Administration hasn't provided any clarity (which itself would be a story)?
I live in a state at the end of the nation's tailpipe due to the prevailing westerly winds, where asthma rates are off the charts because of air pollution in other states. And tailpipe emissions are the chief cause of that.
This president will do anything to overturn 44's policies -- simply because he is so jealous of Obama's popularity.
Is there no limit to Trump's Obama-envy?
Guess I just answered my own question.
11
Removing environmental controls only helps the wealthy eke out a few more millions from dated technology leaving the U.S. unprepared to compete in the green economy of the future. This is a common practice amongst corporate raiders: buy a company; streamline it to manufacture the "cash cow" only; make a ton of money; declare bankruptcy as the company is relegated to the technological dustbin of history.
17
@Bert
Much like open borders.
@Dr. John
Maybe, although there are zero countries with open borders.
The US automakers had begun some strides toward keeping up with their foreign adversaries due to the Obama standards. If American automakers take advantage of these loosened rules, I fear it will mark the end of the industry in the US.
Fuel prices will inevitably rise, emissions will eventually be universally recognized as a cause of climate change and those did not prepare will not be able to react. No bailouts for any automaker that jumps at this misguided policy.
Now, as consumers, we will wait to see how each automaker reacts to this. Those that accept these questionable short-term gains, deserve our scorn and rejection.
9
GM already faces and fully deserves our scorn and rejection. We saved their company only to have the executive suite fatten itself by moving our factories and jobs offshore and lobbying for dirtier more unsafe cars. As we contemplate turning in our 20 year old Honda, I assure you a GM product is most definitely not on our list of replacements.
3
I don’t see how this move could possibly stand up to judicial scrutiny, but who knows? Moscow Mitch has done such a good job of packing the courts.
7
More uncertainty for automakers while this gets litigated. The essence of Trump is chaos!
5
This is a grotesquely petulant attack not only on California but on all of us. Those who enable Trump are as guilty as he is in a monstrous effort to do everything in their power to ensure environmental destruction.
As the Amazon burns, as Europe swelters in unimaginable heat, as the Midwest and Northeast United States flood, Trump thinks it's ok to put our food supply and our health at risk for policies no sane person can endorse. You have to wonder who are Trump's real constituents, a few oil executives who should have transitioned to cleaner energy 40 years ago and are now being rewarded for intransigence and stupidity?
333
@Daisy Add to your list…and as the Arctic melts.
32
@Abigail
The tundra thawing is adding to the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere at an alarming rate.
8
@Abigail
Trump's true constituents are the ones he can and is conning and the ones who he can get money from.
Period, point-blank.
8
Trump tries to destroy everything that is holy.
4
So we have the “MAGA” model of cars and trucks made in the US and only sold and driven in the US. Puts one in mind of the vanity edition of the Edsel.
5
States Rights! Another GOP victory! Opposite day!
5
This is what happens when there is unlimited campaign financing by billionaires and corporations (who are also people, we’re told)!
6
So, under Trump, the party of “Sate’s Rights” is going to remove them from the state, all so he can dictate to private businesses how they make their products, or face investigation by the DOJ. All so the can make the planet more polluted. With friends like these, who’s scared of socialists?
5
What happened to Republicans fighting for state's rights?
8
What gives him the right to 'punish' a state? His imagined kingship or is he leaning toward dictatorship -- or more dictatorship?
4
EPA = Environmental Pollution Agency
George Orwell's 1984 was 35 years too early.
4
Faster!Faster!Faster! said ExxonMobil, Burn that gasoline and diesel faster! and in a more polluting way! Faster!Faster!Faster!
4
So much for Republicans being for states’ rights!
3
What is wrong with this man. When you have corporations agreeing to do something about climate control and then, our President says, OH NO...Pollute or we sue..REALLY...
5
This is a situation where "states rights" should give way to the need for uniformity in an essentially national market, regardless of your views on what the standards should be. The freeways and highways of California extend to other states; cars are not stopped at the boarder. This seems to be the classic interstate commerce situation for which federal preemption was created. The fact that this Is a national construct is evidenced by the reaction of the auto industry to California's different standards. The industry cannot afford to have separate auto designs for the state of California, and is forced to design all cars to the more restrictive standards. Thus, California is being allowed to set the de facto standard for the entire country, which of course is its objective. There are some outside the state of California who would question the wisdom of permitting a single state to dictate standards to everyone else.
Then again, California’s waiver is the law of the land.
4
Interesting twist on States' Rights; apparently fine when allowing discrimination against LGBTQ persons, or hyper-strict abortion laws, but not regarding climate change. Makes the Trump look bad. Very stable genius, Making America Gag Again.
7
The same physics we are messing with makes the surface of Venus hot enough to melt lead and Mars cold enough to freeze out CO2.
And those are our sister planets.
What could go wrong?
2
And Republicans are ok with trampling on state rights? What happened to the Tea Party? The Libertarians? The Republican ideologues?
What goes around comes around. When Democrats take back control of the presidency, we’re coming for your state gun laws.
4
Remember when the GOP used to go on and on about States rights and local control as opposed to the DC Bureaucrats dictating from on high?
Yeah, me too, it wasn’t that long ago, was it?
3
So the GOP platform is now no more free trade, no more state’s rights, pacifism, election rigging and no more votes in the Senate? They’ll lose by a huge margin in 2020. Look at the growing House Casualty List of those Republicans deciding not to run. Register & vote!
4
Why are Republicans almost giddy about passing legislation that will increase the polluting of the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink (the building blocks of life)? I know why; environmental regulations are a drain on the economy and the economy is far more important to them than this environmental nuisance. If you think I am wrong, then you should explain to California why it’s ok for the President of the United States to strip them of their authority to set tougher rules on car emissions, effectively telling them they can go choke on it. I’m waiting………
5
The important question is, how will the populace react, if at all, to this latest outrage? We have watched in horror as somnolent America has allowed this administration to be led in broad daylight by fossil fuel profiteers toward global cataclysm. It should be clear by now that only a grass roots uprising will have any effect. The norms of government checks and balances have been neutered. In NYC this Friday, will there be a million people converging on Foley Square to support Greta Thunberg's effort? The Biblical phrase, "A little child shall lead them," comes to mind. If you are within 100 miles of NYC, be there to be counted by the media and to scare the money out of the pockets of legislators.
4
@DMATH Strikewithus.org lists climate actions all over the country, and people "from 7 to 777" are invited to join. I checked: there are at least 5 within a reasonable distance from where I live in Maine. Let's do this, and I wager it will have more effect that piling on repetitive cries of outrage here.
I am not a lawyer nor a legal scholar, but I hope to holy heck that whatever law suit impedes this horrible move by this resentful and ignorant administration is strong in areas of interstate commerce and public health - and addresses the fundamental issue of states rights. I lived in LA during the 70s and can tell you that "smog" is painful. I am tired of frank and information based opposition to Trump occurring only in comment sections to online news outlets. Where are the California federal legislators standing up to this assault on the citizens of California? How is it the federal government can force bad health on the people? Can Republicans who support Trump continue to watch American citizens be deprived of their health and livelihoods across the country (including what has happened to farmers, for example) just because Trump is filled with resentment and ignorance - and other leaders won't stand up to him?
2
The monster in the White House spews toxicity, venom, and malevolence everyday, in as formats as he can. The regulation reversals that unleash coal burning, methane venting, auto fumes, water pollution, golbal warming are now almost daily. This 'policy' is not so much 'unscientific' (which it is), or pro-business (questionable), but mostly a compulsion to unleash pathologic hatred for all life of Earth. His Republicans flunkies are fine with that. The world should not forget that the GOP (and America by extension) are guilty of crimes against humanity.
1
"The administration’s plans have been further complicated because major automakers have told the White House that they do not want such an aggressive rollback."
If the administration is so hypocritical as to overcome their own fervent "states' rights" doctrine, I guess it's no surprise that it won't even listen to the corporation heads it usually defers to--but it's still a head-scratcher.
I don't see the administration telling Texas that their state can't dictate the content of the entire country's textbooks, slanting all sorts of issues from the history of the United States (civil rights, slavery) to evolution.
4
There is a silence concerning the stewardship of God's creation the Christian witness both within and supportive of the Trump Administration and the Republican Party that reveals the cafeteria Christianity with which they charge other Christians. When Born Again believers do speak of Nature, they see the environment as something to be subdued, used, or dominated rather than a life partner, a relationship to be sustained.
The practice of the current EPA reveals the unconstructive egoism, the environmental narcissism, of the religious and political faith possessing those who lead our nation. Did God create human beings to be self-serving?
So, let us raise a voice in their own faith terms calling those Christian leaders and policies what they are - sinful. Let us call them to account for and atone for their sins against Nature and the Creator through our courts, elections, and from the pulpits of the places where Americans might worship. It is time for a change of the American heart Environmental and otherwise.
Dominic Scibilia
Mount Pleasant, SC
3
No. California is not "dictating" what other states should do, as claimed by Andrew Wheeler. No other state must adopt California environmental standards, even though they are the best in the nation. Even car manufacturers are moving toward making electric vehicles--they know the public wants electric transport.
Trump goes against the Constitution's proclamation of States' rights, against the Constitution's support of science, against the Constitution's guarantee promoting the general welfare of Americans.
Trump and his elected Republican cronies' constant support of fossil fuel interests, against human, animal and plant life, against science, makes a person wonder how much personal investment he and cronies have in fossil fuels, and, how enormous are their campaign donations from fossil fuel interests.
It's clear the U.S. government is for sale. Big Pharma, Big Chemical, ConAgra, Big Oil, the NRA write legislation against life and donate heavily to Republicans, in service of revenue. The deaths they cause are just so much collateral damage.
2
Funny thing is, no one want this, not even the auto makers.
3
Hey folks, you may be wondering... "what about states rights"? Well, now you know that the GOP believes that 'the ends justify the means'. So, while they have been blabbering 'states rights' for decades as if it were somethng sacred... It was just another lie to get to the end of a particular topic. Remember, 'the ends justify the means'. Liberal open-minded people are duped by this. It was always just an 'anternative-fact', in an argument they were determined to win. Thanks to Trump, the veil has been pulled off their methods and agenda. The GOP is going for broke with the Trump admin. No doubt, guided, every step of the way by conservative consultants - they view this opportunity as a one-time chance to ramm-thru every pent-up ideal they ever had. What draconian shopping list is being saved for the second term? No doubt, raiding Social Security and Medicare. People shouldn't take this sitting down. Wake up everyone!
3
Outrageous, plain and simple. He wants to be King and thinks he is. This cannot be tolerated. Our entire way of life is at stake.
2
it Is about time California and other states that contribute much to the economy separate from the states that are a burden and a liability to the country.
A decentralized federal system, is needed to make sure each state provides essential services to its people. A state could be better managed, more transparent and more accountable and democratic if business is ran locally.
The federal government should only be responsible for defense, regulation on the national level and environment. If Our federal government fails in its obligations to climate and environmental issues, the states should have the right to overrule its decision.
Hold the line California and don’t let this administration force its will on the state.
California is on the right track with their progressive policies. Maybe it is time to think seriously about succession. If California leads the way, maybe east and west coast states will follow. Better yet the coasts can align with Canada and finally get the national healthcare, educational and progressive policies that are deserved.
Let the Midwest and southern states have their Trumps, guns, god and so-called conservative agenda.
1
@RST
Every time I contemplate this, I remember: the nukes are in North Dakota.
Trump supports Brexit. Meanwhile, he is making a pretty good case for California to consider a "Calexit". If not full secession, California should make it clear that in some areas (like environmental protection for starters), they will simply not accept federal jurisdiction even if they lose a case in the Supreme Court. California is larger than a lot of countries but gets the same number of senators as North Dakota. The electoral college also means a voter in California counts less than a voter in Wisconsin. What credibility does the Federal Government have to a Californian?
3
Not following the logic here. California has stricter environmental laws that have been effective. If the Feds are imposing their will it's because California is imposing it's cleaner air on Nevada? What would be the problem with that? And how would one convince a judge to agree to force California to do more harm to its neighbors than it already does?
4
The car makers are already complying with these rules. It doesn't make any sense to mess with this.
What's the argument in favor of more pollution?
8
California with over 1.5 Million cars on the road daily creates a one the largest emissions of greenhouse gases. By revoking the authority of Californians to control their environment it will give rise to electric cars, more mass transit and urbanization. Already, the state has the highest number of electric and hybrid vehicles anywhere in the the country.
If Trump is trying to bolster the fossil fuel and car industry its a short term tactic.
Leading the migration to electric technologies, Daimler Benz recent announcement to not develop another internal combustion engine signals that internal combustion engines will be replaced by more climate friendly propulsion systems.
5
Perhaps the auto industry will do what is right for all of us and the environment despite the current administration's lack of taking on and denying global warming issues. The other alternatives would be for consumers to protest by only purchasing vehicles that meet the highest standards of emission controls and making one's feelings known to your representatives in Washington.
5
I'm not an attorney, but in the long run could this turn around in the long run to actually aid environmental protection by allowing the federal government to step in on states which are cesspools of pollution, like Louisiana, and force them to live up to much higher standards with much harsher penalties then their knuckle dragging conservative state governance would otherwise allow? President Warren & Co. will have a field day.
6
According to a trump appointee and groupie “We embrace federalism and the role of the states, but federalism does not mean that one state can dictate standards for the nation.” Seems to me that the state of California has it's citizens in mind, and if others want to follow, so be it. Let's make sure Trump's lackies understand this. And let's hope or great state of Massachusetts follows the model.
16
My assumption is that “making America great again” includes rolling back every gain we’ve made since what, the 50’s?
Indeed let’s not only go back to incandescent light bulbs and a Los Angeles skyline under a blanket of smog. Perhaps, according to Trump, we can only truly be great again when we begin to allow our factories to dump chemicals in our waterways or scrap safety requirements in the workplace.
Clearly becoming great again means a king can do as he pleases.
20
In California, CARB (Californnia Air Resources Board) regulates virtually everything to do with emissions of any sort, whether it's the type of charcoal lighter fluid that can be used, or the VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) in windshield washer fluid, or spray on deodorant, to automobile tailpipe emissions.
There is no denying that California's air quality has improved during the last 52 years as a result of many of these regulations. The thirteen additional states that follow CARB guidelines for tailpipe emissions do not necessarily follow the CARB guidelines for other environmental air quality issues.
The burden on industry is manufacturing, packaging and distribution of alternate products for use in one state but not the other 49.
There has been a we-versus-them attitude of the federal government (EPA) and CARB for over 50 years, and California's results are easily recognizable. It's time for the federal EPA to adopt the proven regulations of CARB, and it's also time for CARB to examine those regulations that don't have a positive impact on air quality but allow the state to levy fines against ordinary citizens.
There should be one standard to maintain our clean air and environment.
3
Ironically, the federalist, capitalist Trump administration does not really want either true rights for states nor true free market competition for automakers.
10
This might very well be the tipping point heading toward 2020. Even if Trump wins and revokes/rebukes California, it could very well be his undoing. Union leadership should pivot demands toward a Green Initiative to open plants that really roll out environmentally focused vehicles. Just think if it had been part of a well thought out Infrastructure Bill. We'd truly be world leaders in every sense of the word.
Sadly, while greed is opportunistic and clever, it is rarely enlightened and evolved.
9
That is another one of the pure vendetta-against-Obama strategy.
Wasn't Trump complaining that US car makers don't sell many cars to the EU? Does he really think at the end that he could dictate his lower tailpipe regulations to the EU? What's next? Tariffs to force the EU to accept those "new US cars"?
If someone would do a satire TV show no one would air it - "too exaggerated".
17
For the life of me I don’t understand why it is not clear to everyone already that the reason that US automotive companies are struggling to keep up with European and Asian manufacturers is that their vehicles are horribly outdated, technologically behind, gas guzzlers and often relatively poorly assembled from cheap looking materials, and that the way to move upwards and onwards is to start focusing on the things that will sell their cars both in the US AND in the rest of the world - if they insist on building something that we can have better and cheaper from an Asian manufacturer, what would be the selling point for GM, Ford etc? The US market for vehicles is shrinking, the Asian markets are increasing - build something they want. Reducing the efficiency of the vehicles is the complete opposite and wrong way to go.
21
Maybe I missed this somewhere in the noise of this discussion, but is there any stipulation in current law, or in Dear Leader’s proposed rollback, that prevents any automaker from voluntarily meeting or even exceeding the California emissions standards?
It would seem that this rollback is a fait accompli, despite some automakers’ wishes. Wouldn’t it also seem to be good business to market (and of course manufacture) vehicles that exceed the propsed new (or even the existing) standards, thereby neutralizing the effects of DL’s rollback tantrum?
6
@j dub: Just heard on NPR that companies who want to voluntarily meet emissions standards, risk being accused of conspiracy against the Trump administration. Wait for the next ruling to prohibit electric cars...
1
As a grandfather in my seventies, I consider this action and others undertaken by the current trump administration to be detrimental to the health and future of my grandchildren. The climate needs to be addressed. The protection of the environment needs to be addressed. Steps need to be taken to address the loss of life in America from weapons of war. Why? Because the lives of our children and grandchildren depend upon responsible people to do something about these issues. There needs to be a resounding vote in Nov. 2020 against trump as well as the Republican controlled Senate.
16
Is John Roberts corrupt? This case may test it.
12
Charles Dickens would, I believe, agree that these are the worst of times. What, exactly, does this President hope to accomplish by stopping progress in environmental safety? Does he know what he’s doing? Does he really want to have us walk around wearing surgical masks as the Chinese do? To me, it seems as though either he or one of his buddies stands to make a profit on air pollution. Perhaps he’ll change his mind when his grandchildren become asthmatic or when he is forced to walk around with oxygen tubing in his nose. Or when the smell in the air cannot be differentiated from the stench emanating from the White House.
10
If Trump does this, to be fair, he should also change the name of the EPA to the Environmental Destruction Agency.
11
We elected a man who has lived in a bubble all his life. He can’t think outside that bubble. Problems that regular people have don’t occur to him because he has the resources to avoid the problems. The air is bad, just get away to play golf at my resort. Too bad for the people who on’t have a country resort.
13
Why roll back emission standards? Its insane! Its time that somebody performed a cost/benefit analysis on the reduction of emissions, that's how it was managed to get lead out of gas. Make the polluter pay - the oil company for the damage they do to the environment.
10
Putting aside climate change, Trump’s move is a direct assault on public health. We are going backwards my fellow citizens.
14
So the party of small government wants Washington DC to overrule local law. Republicans are lost.
21
Friends, it appears that we agree that this move is far beyond appalling. As I write, 2497 other readers have weighed in, which is impressive. But can we move beyond hand-wringing, please. Trump has shown he will back down in the face of concerted opposition, but the fierce opposition registered here is tucked away, I fear, too far out of sight to register. (Sorry, NYT.) But if enough of us step away from our keyboards and go walk back and forth, past the auto dealers in our various home towns, with signs indicating unmistakably that we aren't buying gas guzzlers anymore, that sends a message that will register. Consumer power. It is real, and it's time to display some of it.
8
Now that will be a boost to exports of US cars!
8
Wondering if Nunez is for or against stronger air pollution,
and where he stands on States' Rights.
6
Pure unadulterated bribery made in the USA has brought us to this, a nation that let's it's corporations who are said to be people but somehow our laws simply don't apply to them. Maybe all men are created equal but here men never equal corporations which is what this is really all about.
7
The reason DT gets away with his, what passes for policies, is not because the Congress won't hold him accountable, particularly the GOP, but due to the voters not holding Congress responsible. If voters said, and meant it, that their legislators would be voted out of office the next election cycle for not doing their job and holding this lawless and insane administration accountable, they'd move quickly to do so. We're getting the government we deserve. Remember? Of, by, and for the people? That's us.
7
True, until you account the electoral college, outsize influence of low-population states, savage gerrymandering, voter suppression, and foreign power election influence. Now you don’t necessarily have a government the people actually wanted.
12
...a gerrymandered Congress. That must stop.
6
Although I can write a whole page on the destruction Trump has done to our nation, based on this action alone why would anyone vote for a person who puts your life at risk, let alone the cumulative effect on your children and grandchildren. My first grandchild was born 3 days ago and I would rather be remembered for how I fought for his right to clean air and water than for the delicious cookies I baked him.
23
It is brazen hypocrisy as to how many comments are against the Trump Administration overriding states’ rights in the instance California’s emissions standards.
Commenters can’t have it both way - either you are for a strong central government dictating everything to the states and individuals or you are not. In all honesty, California should be allowed to set its own emissions standards. Just like Alabama should be able to set its own standards for abortions. That’s what it means living in a republic.
If the Trump Administration has taught us anything, just like the Obama Administration before and so on back to the 1960’s, the best check to excessive central power is to follow the Constitution and the founding principles of the US by devolving authority back to the states and individuals.
1
Your examples seem to make sense on the surface but are very different applications of rights. One is an individual right, that of abortion, the other a state management of pollution which impacts the multitudes. However, taking your premise to let states decide, it is fine for Alabama to ban abortion as long as they allow California to allow unrestricted abortions. Similarly, as long as Alabama’s pollution stays in Alabama and impact no other state, they can set their own limits. Neither is likely to happen.
10
@Common SenseYou're engaged in sophistry and false equivalency in your comments: RIGHTS may not be abridged, either by states OR the central govenment. States may not pass laws that take away established civil rights and the federal government shall enforce the right. If a law enacted by Congress establishes a right (say to clean air or clean water), the states must follow the law. This also applies to rights that are protected by the Constitution and the Amendments. Whether a state may take additional steps to meet the law's intent is the issue here. In the case of abortion, the issue is whether states may take steps to limit a right and thereby thwart the intent of the law. I think it is reasonable to assume that going beyond the requirements of a law to meet the intent is allowable; taking steps to curtail a right is not.
2
Oh, please. Yours is just as much sophistry. Read the Constitution. All powers not explicitly given to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people. Since the New Deal and then through the Great Society up until today, all three branches have far exceeded their constitutional powers. It is time to bring them in check. This California issue is just the Trojan horse to do that. Trump is brilliant in his mastery of serving the opposition just what they’ll choke on!
What next?
Will Trump demand that children eat lead paint chips?
16
I'm sure California has protection under the US Constitution.
1
This is going to be the legacy of the Trump Presidency. Very Poor.
3
Our Constitution allows for freedom of speech along with the right of individual States to reflect the needs of their community, unless they interfere with other Constitutional rights. California has an absolute right to set standards to serve the needs of their citizens. If other States elect to follow their example they too have the right to do so. These actions do not negate Federal regulations but address additional issues within the concept of States's Rights.".
8
Agreed. And as do the states to set standards for abortion and marriage, to the extent they don’t infringe on individual rights.
You can’t have it both ways.
whatever happened to the Republic party's mantra of "state's rights?" whatever happened to the "free market?" never mind that the European auto industry already has safe, spacious cars that get 55 MPG; i drove one in Portugal 10 years ago and didn't get cancer from their windmills either...
14
It is interesting that four automakers have formalized their opposition to Trump's plan. i'm guessing that those four have made the investment and sell the types of vehicles that are in sync with current law. How almost any manufacturer can achieve an AVERAGE fuel economy of 54.5 by 2025 seems improbable.
The fuel efficiency standards are mandated for the entire fleet of models manufactured by individual car manufacturer. The high fuel efficiency standard of 55 mph just means that they will manufacture more electric and hybrid fuel vehicles, including trucks. And that is a trend these days regardless what the 45th’s. Administration say or do. More people in the USA and the world over, are buying electric cars. Just check on the Chinese and Indian auto markets or European auto markets.
1
The actual fuel economy number is not 54.5. The stated fuel economy requirement accounts for various bonuses that count toward fuel efficiency (alternative fuels, carryover credits from other years, etc.). The actual miles per gallon of a car that meets the 54.5 threshold is considerably lower. It's a funny math calculation.
Please tell these companies that Trump won’t be President for more than five more years and when he is gone, we going to go back to stricter guidelines with tighter deadlines and stricter enforcement.
7
Until the functioning parts of the country move on from the Trump states we will be held hostage to the reactionary spasms of their cultural and economic death. While we can keep shipping money to them to prolong the disintegration it just protects them from the consequences of their decisions.
9
Everything Trump touches, he destroys. Sounds like the US car industry just got in the queue.
California consumers will have the last say. There's just not going to be a market for their cars.
9
Anyone whose primary school aged children as mine were during the 1960's, will remember the smog alert days in Los Angeles when the children were forced to lie down during the afternoon for 'quiet breaks'; not allowed outdoors, not allowed to run about during recess, in an attempt to circumvent any extra breathing of the auto polluted air. California's Auto Emission Standards made a major and positive difference. It was estimated that just breathing LA air in those days was equivalent to smoking two packs of cigarettes every day, whether you smoked or not.
18
I have obviously got it all wrong but I thought that the role of the POTUS, and any other leader of a democratic country, was to strive for the best for the people of his country. How can increasing pollution levels, and not taking the opportunity to reduce them, possibly be beneficial for the citizens of the USA? The present occupier of the White House does not care for the health of Americans, he does not even think that pollution is an issue. This is, of course, entirely consistent with his inability to think anything through other than his next golf session and who he can sack next.!
12
I am finding it hard to find a civil thing to say here. Just note this, GOP: the blue wave cometh.
27
Ah yes. The "party of states' rights".
17
I can’t read this article without wanting to get sick. So, Trump says states can’t set their own air quality standards, which affect the quality of their own people; but are forced to Federal standards regarding abortion and gun laws? Why aren’t we experiencing Hong Kong style riots here?
24
I wish the media, specifically the NYT, would ban the expression "fuel economy" when what is meant is "fuel consumption". Cars do not save any fuel.
6
Trump doesn't want clean air.
Speaks for itself, doesn't it?
11
I am a religious man. The actions of the current president of the United States are nothing less than sinful. He takes delight in destroying God's creation. He is corrupt to the core. He has no apparent regret for the things he has said and done in the past. Any Christian who supports this administration has already betrayed their faith. It is the obligation of all of us to be stewards of the earth. The direction America is going in is going to lead to disaster.
24
Criminally insane.
In NW Ga, we've not had any significant rain in almost two months. Temperatures that should be in the low 80's at most, are in the 90's. No relief from either the heat or drought in the near forecasts.
Atlanta set a record last week - 99 degrees - the highest temperature recorded for that day in 119 years - since such records had been kept. The previous record was 95.
This evil fool is destroying our life, liberty and pursuits of happiness and the Constitution we've lived by. Every day another outrage, every day he spits in our faces. Every day my hatred for this thing who passes himself off as a man, grows ever greater, much to my shame.
He must be removed as soon as possible by any means necessary - the damage is already incalculable and much irreparable. Fourteen months to go. Fourteen more months to endure this freak and his horror show.
27
Correction to your assertion - 14 months more of Trump and then another 48 months when he is re-elected!
Incoming President Warren has a plan for that.
8
Trump is not crazy, he is just paying back his campaign donors one at a time. This time is the oil lobby which will benefit countless billions by cars that use more gas. Every regulation rolled back has it's origin in a cash donation in order to advance the donors interests. This is the most corrupt administration in history, pay for play is now in default no matter how ridiculous or destructive the result is. The only redeeming factor is that over time all of this nonesense will be rolled over with new regulations and the evil greed behind all of this will be severely impacted by progress maybe even go bankrupt. You can't stop progress but you can sure outlive greedy dinosaurs. I will only buy cars from companies that respect the vleaner standards, I suggest you do the same. With hundreds of EVs hitting the market in the next decade, gas standards will have the loosing hand.
16
He's trying to undo what has been hailed - by the scientific community - as the best example of effective vehicular air pollution control measures in the nation. He does not seem to care. Perhaps because he does not live here. What a shame!
7
Trump does not care because he has a short term outlook along with his followers. They do not want to sacrifice anything for the benefit of anyone even their grandchildren. They figure that God will look out for them or science will come up with a solution. They accept science in almost every other area of their lives but they reject it when it comes to the environment and climate change. They are just short/term opportunists and they have elected one. If they were in charge in the late 17 century, they would have produced a memorandum of understanding instead of a constitution.
7
Yet another mess to clean up after this petulant man-child and his malevolent lickspittles scurry back to watching reality TV all day after this bizarre charade is ended in 2020.
At least the automakers are smart and sensible enough to realize it is in their best interests to stay the course.
10
I can’t help but think that as trump ages, he must be realizing that the end of his days (as it is for all mortals) are approaching and that he cannot imagine how there can be a world without him in it. So he is determined to trash the entire planet and especially American Democracy before he is gone. To me this idea seems to fit with the notion that we are suffering with his extreme narcissistic personality disorder.
Citizens, vote and pray like you have never done before!
15
Trump himself is the lowest-standard president we've ever had.
11
America is a laggard on fuel economy. Here in Europe most cars get 50 mpg. It saves money and it reduces pollution. It's a no-brainer. But America is becoming known for being thoughtless and irresponsible.
12
I guess Trump isn't familiar with the children's book The Lorax. Yet another of all the books in the world he hasn't read.
4
Mr. Trump is doing with the nation allows him to get away with.
8
So much for states’ rights.
8
If Trump wants it, he says it’s a federal issue. If he doesn’t care about it, he says it should be left to the states.
And the toadies in the GOP see no inconsistencies in the whims and passing fancies of the tangerine who would be king.
9
As the sixth latest economy on the planet I would leave the United States and for my own country or join Canada.
1
What happened to the GOP's bedrock platform promoting state's rights?
9
In 1983, my husband's job got transferred to LA. The day we went house hunting in eastern LA County and stood on the porch of the house we would eventually buy, our real estate agent told us that on a clear day, we would be able to see the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains.
I figured they were a couple miles away.
We moved in on a clear day. Turns out the foothills were only 2 BLOCKS away! On many days, outdoor activities were curtailed for my toddler, and my husband and I couldn't breathe if we went out for a run. The air was that thick!
California, you have come so far. Do not let this pseudo-president and his personal grudges pollute your environment! Fight this with everything you've got!
And PS: Republican representatives across the nation, wake up! You will be held responsible as well.
15
@soitgoes
as you say "Republican representatives across the nation, wake up! You will be held responsible as well."
I could not agree more. I used to split my vote across party lines. Especially for local elections to vote for anyone I thought was doing or would do a good job. For the next two elections at least, I won't vote for ANY republican in ANY office at ANY level of government. Moreover, I'm encouraging all my friends and family to do the same and spread the word. Republicans, you're on notice: Fix your party leadership NOW!
8
This is pure spite- California has defied Trump and gone solid blue- The autocrat wants to teach Californians a lesson.
10
This seems like more empty bluster from Trump. Just like when he tells GM it "has to" keep unprofitable plants open or tweets that we are "locked and loaded" to defend the oil of countries that buy our weapons. Trump imagines a complete equivalence between the unfamiliar-to-him world of international arms sales and the likely-less-unfamiliar world of kickbacks and protection rackets.
In the end, reasonsble people will just ignore Trump's threats then wonder why they got stressed about what he said in the first place.
2
I am trying to find someone who is in agreement with Trump in the letters. I gave up. If the State population is so against this absurd policy when Trump comes to town businesses should shut their doors and the State population should protest his actions in the streets. Reading about the pollution of Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s in these letters enlightened me as to the problem. I was previously aware of the pollution but not as seriously alarmed. This policy with the heavy dense population of California is the same as murder of part of the population via a government created health crisis.
7
Imagine...the government fighting to keep our environment polluted. What a president’s we have. Pure ignorance.
16
Funny how the Trump fans don't have any sort of defense for this. They just complain about California. They don't even try to hide the face that there is no purpose behind this except to hurt America's greatest state, the place that makes up 12% of our population and 15% of our economy. Trump fans have yet to explain why they hate America so much.
14
Honestly is this what it has all, come down to? When is enough enough? A rogue presidency enabled by the corporate greed of an enabling Senate. Whatever happened to states rights?
Trump is aiming at trying to get the Supreme Court to legislate
away Californias rights. If his tax returns are that worrisome we should see them!
3
The GOP living their values of states’ rights and pro-life.
4
As a Californian with medical conditions gravely impacted by Clean Air standards, I am alarmed and outraged. President Trump has a vendetta against the Golden State because we patently reject the racism, xenophobia, misogyny and climate change denial that characterize his terrible Administration. I've taken solace these past three years in knowing my Progressive home would do what it could to protect our health and wellbeing. With this latest absurd attempt to run roughshod over our state's rights to set our own standards, count me as even more convinced California would be better off without Trumplandia.
6
Even if one is silly enough to embrace the Trump propositon that climate change is not man-made, it must be obvious that climate IS changing (for whatever reason). It is therefore imperative that we all play our part in minimising it so far as is possible. It seems to me that California's attitutde is admirable, and Federal attempts to oppose it is disgraceful. Yet one more reason (of many) why America (and the World) will be better off without Trump being allowed anywhere near Government.
3
States Rights only works when they state wants to deny a class people their civil-rights. Clean air rights are something else.
2
It’s pretty evident at ths point that Trump not only believes in global warming, he is employing it to destroy the USA. I seriously wonder where his loyalties lay.
7
So "states' rights" is only good when it backs Republican prejudices and racism, but not when it encourages cleaner air and responsible environmental stewardship? Sorry, Emperor Donald, this is not good, not right, not moral, not ethical, not American. There is a special place awaiting your arrival, and it isn't the White House.
7
Is anyone really surprised at this point? It’s time to depose the king and take back the nation from monarchy...
5
With his destructive executive overreach and actions linked with his shortsighted personal agenda Trump is proving to be the biggest pollutant of public arena and a grave threat to the environment. Again, the instead of following the pollution reducing clean air efforts and other environmental initiatives of California at the federal level he is rather stymieing the efforts of California towards the environmental safety which is nothing short of a criminal act to be condemned by all right meaning people.
4
I'm starting to feel there's something more than just greed and politics driving Trump. Some sort of deep seated nihilism.
When the president wants to do things like loosen pollution standards beyond what even industry leaders are asking for or want (e.g. auto emissions, methane emissions), it starts to feel like there some bizarre hostility to the very concept of future generations.
As if Trump is so narcissistic he can't - or doesn't want to - imagine a world going on after he's gone, and/or would rather that world descend into catastrophe and disaster, so he can preside over 'the last good days'.
I read once that his brother's death left him with a very dark and pessimistic view of life. I wonder if we're seeing that played out in these insane decisions. Very scary to think of someone with that world view with their hand on the nuclear button...
6
This would be laughable if it wasn't so vile. Republicans - strong protectors of STATES RIGHTS until it comes to a state that doesn't follow their game plan. I can't imagine how the Supreme Court could justify quashing California's right to set its own auto emissions standards while allowing other states to set their own abortion standards. But one thing I am certain of. This president's craven and typically loony act in the face of proven climate change will inspire Democrats in every state to actually vote in the next election.
5
The Democrats now have a succinct issue that should be used to defeat Trump and his minions. It’s a no brainer issue if presented to the public in a simple manner. Stop the infighting in the party, get behind one candidate who can win and start presenting issues like these that are black and white. The hourglass is running out.
5
Ah, this must be more of the GOP and conservative insistence that government is best at the local, rather than federal level, where people know best what needs to hppen and be done.
5
I remember the rancid air quality in Los Angeles during the 1960's. As a child in my father's car, it hurt my eyes so much that I was crying, and couldn't open my eyes. Though the atmosphere in LA is cleaner now, there is still a long way to go. Trump's revocation of the waiver is typical of his regressive political agenda. Living, breathing Americans can't allow this rogue administration to pursue its environmentally destructive policies unchecked.
6
In the typical republican presidency, they strive to take the E and P out of EPA, so it is no longer the Environmental Protection Agency, it is just Agency that functions to function as a functioning organization that exists to exist.
Trump wants to fulfill the actual dreams of conservatives and make it to the Environmental Punishment Agency. And he's doing a good job at that, at the expense of the health of millions.
4
This surely will not stand, But, if somehow it does, and with the current Supreme Court all bets are off, mark the date, because it will represent the beginning of the end of the so-called United States. It's time, folks, it's time.
6
The GOP used to proclaim that it was the forward-thinking, pro-business party. Under Trump, it's clear that it's not.
Let's face it, climate change is real. Going forward, the businesses that can provide cost-effective, green solutions to Americans' everyday needs for power, transport, food are ultimately going to win market share and succeed in the global marketplace. Those stuck producing 20th Century tech will fade into oblivion and their employees will find themselves out of work in due course.
We need to encourage our American companies to innovate so that they can meet the needs of 21st Century consumers. We need to elect leaders in Congress and the White House who will offer carrots (financial incentives) but also bear sticks (regulations) to help drive this innovation. We need to vote for Democrats up and down the ballot to make this happen.
Jill Stein-loving supposedly "Green" voters. You need to show up at the ballot box in November 2020 and vote for the Democrat.
3
Thank you, Mr. President, for protecting our right to breathe polluted air, develop serious respiratory illnesses, and die prematurely from pollution related conditions. Thank you for defending us against the dangers of breathing clean air. We really need those extra 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide that California was so mean to try to take away from us.
10
California also regulates art materials.
@Kay Sieverding
Be more specific. Are you referring to hazardous materials? Or are you talking about finger paint?
3
Whatever happened to the conservative principles of less Federal government interference?
10
this is the last desperate sally of a dying civilization based on carbon. Trump, with his cartoonish materialism, as preternaturally energized as a John D. McDonald villain, wreaks as much mischief as possible to void these last few years during which anything could be done to avoid the cataclysm. We helplessly stand by, as our chances to survive as a species geometrically diminish with each passing day that he is President, and that Republicans control the Senate.
14
Apparently states rights only exist to interfere with women's reproductive choices over our own bodies. When it comes to clean air, not so much.
In case anyone is keeping score, this. and the systematic dismantling of the EPA, and all its safeguards for public health and environmental stewardship are yet more reasons to vote this overreaching, blind and corrupt administration out and restore responsible, if not sane government.
25
I think some of you are missing the point. What's driving this is Trump's vendetta against Obama, California, and Hollywood in particular. Trump doesn't care about air quality one way or the other. This is revenge and payback, pure and simple.
34
He has to be voted out. There is nothing more to be said here. It’s either he goes, or our health, environment and planet go. It is simple.0
22
It would seem that every day Trump is out there in front of the media touting some new issue he thinks should be addressed and each time shows his lack of knowledge of the very subject he is addressing and of course he is never circumspect as to the different aspects that must be considered. He tries to come on as the jack of all trades and it is just another miserable failure by the president.
11
This will be challenged in Court and the case will roll on for a few years. During that time, auto manufacturers will have to place bets on what the regulatory environment will look like in the future -- without knowing who will win.
And, if Trump wins, there's an excellent chance it will be reversed, somehow, by the first Democratic administration to follow.
So, my guess is that the manufacturers plan for the California standard. It's safer.
Beyond that, Trump is rejecting the science of climate change and health effects of pollution. He is rejecting business economics. And, he's driving yet another stake into international relations, given that most countries are concerned about climate.
If he wins, he poisons his own supporters.
Words fail.
15
The GOP: the reliable party of states rights and also the party of balanced budgets— except when they don’t feel like it.
16
It doesn't make any economic sense for people to want less fuel efficient vehicles and we personally will only buy hybrid/electric/fuel cell vehicles from now on. I think it's important to write to the car companies about that and support the ones with that commitment.
The only "good" part of this I can think of is that it might hasten our depletion of this FINITE mass produced fuel source and put a big hurt on our species, giving the planet a much needed permanent rest from our large scale activities. The Earth has survived several massive global warming periods in its history and in the long time frames, it can probably survive at least that part of the destruction we're causing.
4
California should declare independence from the union if its right is revoked at the Supreme Court. That can be a great Trump legacy.
15
If a country's wealth could be, in part, measured in the natural resource of clean air and water, held in a public trust, then trump's rollbacks of environmental protections along with his insistence on hydrocarbon production could be seen as a bankrupting of our national treasury. When I'm not angry at his trespasses, I feel sad. We are part of the land, whether an urbanite or living rurally.
12
The Californians who are hosting him tomorrow are traitors to their own state.
The people who bought tickets for his San Diego event should stop and think of how they will defend their support for a politician who wants to make our air “great again” like 30 years ago when you couldn’t see across the San Fernando Valley.
We will never forget that you supported this man.
46
Trump and the GOP are enemies of everyone who breathes.
And it's funny how the GOP used to be the party of "state's rights."
If Trump wants a war with California, he's going to lose.
21
In California, we don't sit still for antics like this. A few tariffs of our own might get Trumpers' where they feel it most: on the dinner table. Kidding aside, Donald Trump can expect top to bottom law suits and voters who will get rid of gaseous emissions and pollution on their own, at the polls.
7
Those looking at the photo--only 4 lanes of traffic going to 101, I-80, and downtown San Francisco might assume that it is an all day traffic jam every day and stay away. I can assure this is not true. At 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning there is often little traffic.
And about hotel prices here--don't ask.
2
Is there a gambling establishment somewhere that will take bets on President Trump and his administration's behavior? If so, a fortune could be had making book on their decisions and actions, as they always resemble that of a frustrated toddler.
5
The GOP - once denounced the strong arm of the federal government in states autonomy - has been abducted.
I suppose they want to be called "The Anti-Everything Obama/Clinton/Carter (how far back can we go) Party."
History will mark these moments as the final end to this experiment called a republic. All had their ends . . . the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Mayas, the Romans . . . the Song.
10
If Trump wants to arm wrestle California, I'm betting on the right, not wrong, good, not bad, the honest, not lies. Greed, and caring for what's good. I don't like him or trust him. He has proved nothing.
7
Trump may now use his office to retaliate against those who cross him, but his day is coming: he shall pay. It could be years from now, but, rest assured, his terrible day of reckoning eventually will arrive. Someday he will be indicted on multiple counts of obstruction of justice and any other crimes he racks up, and he will be convicted. Then, in the sentencing hearing, his general moral character will be weighed, and his defilement and perversion of the office of the presidency will push his prison sentences into the stratosphere.
15
this what happens when California's oversteps its boundary in trying to impose dysfunction elsewhere in the country. California emissions control policy with 50+mpg average by 2025 is a sham, and Trump et al is addressing it correctly by revoking what Calfornia, currently with the left wing in control, is not responsible to handle. Perhaps Calif showed responsibility in the past with republican and moderate senators and governors in office, but now with the left wingers in office. Gas powered cars will not average 50 mpg in 5 years, and electric and hybrid cars are expensive and not useful for many. hopefully trump et al will reign more on california, for example, will have the DOJ nullify AB5 and rent control (a previous ballot vote defeated rent control, but the state legislators and the governor decided to unilateral invoke it ) as violating Federal law
I guess then that American Auto Companies won’t be selling vehicles to the European Union, which has set the standard of 50mpg as well by the same date if not earlier.
The standard in California has always allowed auto companies to get credit for other environmentally sound innovations, so the expectation was the autos would deliver 36mpg on average, not at all unrealistic by 2025.
I guess you like the dirty air and smog we used to have years ago when Republicans had more control of the state.
30
@Patricia Brown
the cleanup started with those republicans and moderate democrats - that is why the air is relatively clean now. it isn't due to the current left wing . the european auto makers plan to comply with electric cars, plus they have a history of fudging the emission control /mileage tests
What better way to please your rural base than to wage war against Metropolitan America ? Damagogy 101 applied in new an insideous ways.
Worse yet, the head of state is clearly working aginst the immediate and long-term interests of the US, alienating historical, cultural and political allies in favor of corrupt foreign regimes and hostile powers. Trump is waging war on America. Divide, conquor, and hand the keys over to the macho sweaty torso figure of his most desparate fantasies of approval from some abusive father figure.
Currupt and corruptable people, and uber-narcisists like Trump will always exist, only needing fertile ground and naiveté to prosper.
When the Executive pushes the boundaries of its power to act, the other branches are empowered to push back. When the Executive pushes and crossses boundaries of power in order to inflict obvious and permanent damage on the nation to serve his own interests or just to spite his detractors, the other branches are obliged to push back.
If Congress lets it go, or pushes back with half-hearted threats and pious wishes (as currently the case), it only confirms Executive superiority. If it pushes back with force, exploring its legistlative and constitutional means (as it should), we enter uncharted waters, but this is a necessary stage in political evollution.
In either case, we have long since entered a state of constitutional crisis and
6
Many of the responders to this article don't seem to realize that Trump is not against cleaner air standards. Responders emphasis is misplaced. What Trump and his evil minions want is the increased profits they'll reap when the standards are lowered.
4
If California's environmental policy withstands its test with the Supreme Court, and the 13 other states continue to adhere to the California standard, US automakers will fall in line and simply build the same models for all 50 states. To build California standard vehicles and vehicles for the other 36 states would create an engineering, manufacturing and parts nightmare and create chaos for car owners who move from state to state.
If California prevails, one size fits all. Let's cheer loudly for California to prevail, so that the Supreme Court does the right thing.
15
If China ask that all cars imported to China in the near future must follow the California's higher emisson standard, what would the auto maker do ? In recent years China has put much efforts on environment protection than the US, and I believed this assumption could highly be exerted.
6
Why does Trump want less fuel efficient cars and more pollution?
The plain answer is his political sponsor, Putin, has a non-diversified econony reliant on oil exports.
Russia has acknowledged they benefit from global warning, as most of their land is a frozen tundra.
When Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions, he was doing his master's bidding.
The darkness of his vision for the world knows no boundaries.
12
After the Saudi Arabia oil processing plants were attacked, the wind was still blowing and the sun still shining. Wind turbines and solar panels are reliable sources of energy, which can power the ALL electric, non-polluting cars in California. Trump is, like many other times, on the losing side of the issue.
17
We need to be transitioning to fossil fuel free in the next 10 years, so why are we still talking about tailpipe emissions? The US auto industry will be forever behind European and Asian automakers. Eliminating these standards makes no environmental sense, to economic sense, no social sense, and no health sense.
9
I think a better headline would be "hopes to revoke" California's authority. Without a doubt, there will be a court battle.
While I no longer live in California, I vividly recall when California sued the federal government because the federal standard for a "fresh, never frozen" chicken was one that had been frozen for less than three months. A member of California's legislative delegation bowled on the capitol steps using a legally "fresh" chicken for a ball. Even earlier, the federal government set standards for pesticide residue in avocados based on the assumption that the "average American" eats 2 per year. In California, where 2 per week is more normal, the state naturally set a much stricter standard.
In Californian cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and others, the idea of having the same pollution controls on cars as are in place in rural America with less than 1/10 of 1% of the population is absurd.
The only way Trump will prevail is if he really has already reduced our court system to a branch of the Party of Trump.
15
How can the Executive unilaterally revoke a law passed by Congress? If the California waiver is formally part of the law, in black on white, what gives the Executive the right to ignore it? It seems trivially unconstitutional, on the face of it.
As it happens, I'm considering a new car purchase. Trump's actions make me lean even more toward an EV, or a hybrid at minimum. All-internal combustion automobiles will be obsolete in a decade or two, no matter what Trump does.
24
"The actions of California and the other auto companies probably firmed up or hardened the president’s resolve on this issue." Surely this surprised no one. This is exactly how Trump reacts any time he doesn't immediately get his way.
10
So glad I just leased an affordable all-electric car, the made-in-the-USA Chevy Bolt. And my house runs on renewables provided by our city’s utility provider at a cost equal to fossil fuels. Consumers will speak with their pocketbooks. Trump, you’re not welcome in our beautiful state.
36
That’s nice to read! And it’s the only smart way if the planet shall stay alive.
NYT, wrote yesterday that the average US family uses some 90 gallons of gasoline per month.
I commented that on Twitter and someone replied that he uses 120 gallons per month. To me as a Swede, these volumes are mind-blowing. Regardless if there are two or three cars in the household.
I think we used 15 gallons (50 litres) in our house, per month.
Trump has only one year left.
So, it's simple enough, really.
California warns any automakers that make use of any Trump changes that when January 20, 2021 rolls around - just 14 months from now - that they will be sanctioned. Heavily.
16
Originally when I started doing research on Class 7 and 8 diesel engine emission control standards, it was because I believed the CARB standards (especially the ones effective January 1, 2008) placed Canadian trucking companies at a competitive disadvantage. The CEPA and EPA standards were not harmonized at that time (Canada was lower) and so longer, colder winters which reduce MPG normally (increased fuel costs), affected Canadian based transport companies because the large diesel engines were effectively choking on super-cooled carbon build-up within the engines exhaust systems, the constraint in normal exhaust flow-through caused by the need for exhaust regeneration to meet CARB 2008 emission standards. This made the transport trucks less reliable.
One interesting consequence of this emission tier's enforcement was that Caterpillar exited the class 7 and 8 transport sector in North America in May, 2008. CAT had an almost 50% share of the market until then.
CARB, and California, caused extraordinary havoc during an especially critical time in the 2008 financial crisis, in order to reduce GHG and their impact. The imposition of the Class 7 and 8 standards by CARB and grandfathered into EPA regulations forced significant changes onto the transportation industry such that incremental innovation occurred everywhere. Everywhere and frenetically.
It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.
CARB is not the enemy, lack of infrastructure improvement across NA is.
2
After living in California for 35 years I couldn’t wait to get out at my retirement.
When I first moved to California in 1961, the state was not over populated, had few homeless, and enjoyed a fairly friendly atmosphere for newcomers.
During the next 35 years California exploded in population to forty million residents, became a home to countless illegal immigrants, and gave up an excellent Bracero work program for thousands of farm workers.
The real estate prices have shot up to insane levels and made it impossible for many many hard working people to find affordable housing.
The drug addicted and mentally ill homeless population in many cities has tarnished the quality of life of millions of Californians.
Considering all of the above, my retirement from California to the region of Provence in the South of France was the best decision I have made for many years!
6
@Michael Kittle How are things in socialist France? You do realize, of course, that France has rather strict environmental policies, right? And that France is considering strict limitations on Diesel engine-powered automobiles.
16
California may not be France, but thankfully it's not Oklahoma or Kansas either. Not sure of your point except you may be right: the USA is a failing nation.
11
Nice that you’ve relocated but how does this relate to vehicle emission standards?
7
I look forward to seeing CA add a 100%+ sin tax on all vehicles not meeting emission standards. It would be just as effective as the current regulations
9
Totally ridiculous to let states runs different pollution control requirements than that mandated under federal law. Clearly this is a federal issue with not just interstate commerce implications but substantial international commerce implications. Some cite that the car makers even “want” more pollution control. No they don’t. They could care less in reality. They think more controls are coming either way and figure they can also signal their virtuous nature while enhancing their bottom line.
2
I moved to CA in the 1980’s. Even then, California emissions were the toughest in the US. Car manufacturers have built vehicles to meet these standards since that time. To roll back these standards makes no sense.
31
When I was a child growing up in LA County there were days the smog was so bad we couldn’t go outside for recess. Now, thanks to emission standards, this is no longer an issue. So, your point was what?
17
What about women’s bodily autonomy?
1
We have had corrupt administrations in the past. The 19th century was rife with politicians on the take. We were able to survive those governments because of our relative isolation from the rest of the world. That isolation isn't available to us any longer. We're all connected now.
So, what's Trump's point? When does his contempt give way to the common good? And whatever happened to local leadership? The cat got their tongue?
6
Just another distraction dosed out daily by Trump to distract everyone from what is really on. As Krugman says, The Republicans don't support democracy. They fight so that a government of Republicans, by Republicans, for Republicans, shall not perish from the results of fair elections.
29
I find President Trump's boundary disrespectful behavior increasingly alarming for our democracy. The President is not only not meeting his own responsibilities he is encroaching on areas of governance that are outside of his purview.
10
Lot's of good stuff to go in front of the Supreme Court, after the election. We shall see how well they packed it.
If only the Democrats can stop attacking moderates. Economist article about all the negative press for Hillary, and now Biden.
Really, Biden is worse than Trump?
A moderate can be elected, but a far left, maybe not.
4
If I still lived in California I would be working hard to unseat Trump!
Retirement in Provence is simply too glorious to ever return to the United States of Trump.
7
Remember the good old days, when America was great? When Republicans were in favor of states' right? And the free market?
19
Mr. Trump proves yet once again, that he chooses to not accept the name of 'President' but rather that of 'Dictator'. Supposedly being a Republican - which he claims to be - is a party which is presumed to support LESS government control within a state's business. Well lookie here who's interfering in the business of the state of California. This is completely infuriating to me and I live in FL.
I believe more and more that Mr. Trump is guided by a totally different set of principles of a county that doesn't go by the name of the United States of America, as he continues to destroy this incredible country of ours more and more each day.
16
Californians: Don’t buy any new cars starting tomorrow. Tank the auto industry in California. That’s the only message Trump will listen to.
If we all stick together, this will be over in 90 days.
9
Instead of building different versions of cars for different states, why not build ALL cars to meet California standards? Probably be simpler and cheaper for the car companies, right?
12
This is about the air we all breathe. Up to now I was still able to more or less retain relationships with friends who support Trump. But after a long laundry list of horrific politics by this administration this is the final straw.
26
I cut ties with all Trump supporting friends months ago with zero regrets.
2
States rights! Trump better wise up!
6
Unbelievable given the Republican (confederate) insistence on States Rights!
9
Four bold auto manufacturers put their lot in with California. They will be rewarded by the car buying public. They can maintain their proposed mpg specs no matter what the Supreme Court rules. Nothing prevents them from going above and beyond any federal law.
10
The federal government sets the national policy of cell phone frequencies. It should also regulate clean air policies for the entire country. Trust me there is nothng special about California. Let the case go before the US Supreme Court.
Perhaps we should have federally mandated rules governing gambling too - or would Nevada like that?
2
In what way would it be a nightmare for automakers if the Supreme Court continues to allow states to set their own air quality standards, Ms. Davenport? They would simply need to continue doing what they are doing now: comply with the strictest standards, assuming they want people to be able to drive their cars in all states. This has been the law since 1970, and as your own article notes, a number of major automakers support California's increasingly strict standards. Where's the nightmare?
7
There is scientific consensus about climate change, but there is not public consensus. Indeed, climate change is a hyper-object, a term Timothy Morton coined to define things that are simply too immense for many people to grasp. Where consensus is possible, however, is in regard to pollution. The profound impact on public health of polluted air and water is tangible. In my opinion, more emphasis needs to be placed on this aspect. Those who support President Trump's views on the environment may be able to dismiss climate change, but hopefully they can see the plastics littered along their beaches and highways, the thick brown haze dulling their sunsets, and the growing medical bills for the respiratory ailments suffered by their children and grandchildren.
8
I was born in California in 1962, in San Diego. I remember the days when the winds would die and the smog made the sky brown (the sunsets were beautiful, similar to when fires burn in the area).
I also remember coming home from the beach and my dad using paint thinner to get the oil off my skin, washed in to shore from a spill at some oil rig a few miles off the coast, back when that was allowed. I remember the sea gulls with it on their wings, and on the pelicans you might see it too, before their numbers started to dwindle.
And there was a time when you would never eat a fish caught in San Diego Bay, for all the waste that companies and no doubt the Navy were dumping into its waters.
The smog is now gone. As are the oil rigs. People fish San Diego Bay and eat what they catch without worry. And my daughter and I often see flights of pelicans in formations of 12, gliding in the rising air above the surf near our home.
I tell of what it was like before California reversed the downward spiral and cleaned things up. I’m proud of what we have accomplished here in my lifetime.
I hope for my daughter that what I tell her about the past is a story, nothing more. I think that will be the case, the people of California are not going to allow all we have accomplished be undone.
47
Thank you so much for describing the reality years ago and what we’ve accomplished as a state. People often make fun of us Californians as liberal extremists, but I too have seen the air quality dramatically improve since I moved here 30 years ago. When we interviewed for a job in Los Angeles in May of 1989 we drove up Interstate 5 in a rental convertible and as we drove up to the crest of the San Fernando Valley we saw a thick soup of smog blanketing the entire valley. We pulled over to the shoulder of the road and put up the top of the convertible and turned on the air conditioning. In 2019, the air is dramatically better due to all of the regulatory efforts. I hope someone who has video footage of the dirty air days creates some ads —hint hint Tom Steyer—to show what Trump is trying to do to California.
18
Me too. I remember 6am workouts (I ran high school cross-country in Los Gatos in the late ‘70’s) because the afternoon air pollution was so bad our coaches wouldn’t let us run in the afternoon. Last time I was back I could actually see the hills from the valley. Keep the faith, California; don’t drink the Trump-aid.
6
These are extraordinary mean cruel people (Wheeler/Pruitt, Raymond from Exxon who sits on the board of Chase, Trump who takes orders from Putin, and all their Republican partners in crime in Congress). They believe they can foster a lie, not only on Californians--a lie that is and will have devastating consequences just in floods, fires, and droughts--but on all the peoples of the earth.
And in Wheeler's comment that one state cannot dictate standards for the rest, Kentucky through Mitch McConnell has been doing that now for nine years, blocking every piece of humane legislation put forward, and which now includes bills that would protect the integrity of elections. Cruel and two-faced at the same time.
The $10-20 jump in oil/barrel prices we are now seeing from the fires, the public routinely takes in stride--no protest. If it were a carbon tax, how many hybrid/electric vehicles would that fund assuming a subsidy of $2000/vehicle that got better than 50 mpg and $3000 /vehicle that got better than 100 mpg? How many dollars; how many vehicles in a year? How long would it take to get all those gas guzzlers off the road?
People would not only take the tax in stride; they would applaud as well. This needs to be done even before the 2020 election.
8
I remember the smog alerts of the early 1970s, the days when eyes stung and people with asthma couldn’t go outside, when I, a little girl, worried about getting cancer because of air pollution. I grew up in a Los Angeles where the Hollywood Sign, the Valley, and City Hall were obscured more days than they weren’t, where we were forbidden to play outside on too many days because the air was unhealthy. We will not return to those days, ever. Everything has changed because of smart regulation and California reckoning with its power.
23
Mr. Trump would be the wiser for not setting foot on California soil, the only state that dares question his competence. He will not be well received.
15
I am old enough to remember when cars did not have the pollution systems, including modern fuel injection, and we used leaded gasoline. And I remember the smell of the fumes when standing anywhere near those old cars and trucks, unburned gasoline permeating the air, to say nothing of the diesel powered buses and trucks (and Mercedes-Benz diesel automobiles) spewing thick black smoke, the soot covering the back of vehicles; and I did not even lived in California at the time, which was notorious for smog-days, when children and the elder citizens were told to avoid being outside. And that was in the sixties and seventies. We have come a long ways, thanks to regulation and thanks in particular for California leading the way of the nation with stronger pollution control requirements. And don't get me started on the use of leaded fuel which for years caused increased levels of lead on our population starting in the forties and through the sixties until scientists realized that the lead levels in the air were causing dangerous levels in our citizens blood levels (this lead fuel additive being produced by a company formerly owned by General Motors Corporation). Makes us realize that we are here but for the grace of God.
17
I simply cannon stand the air he breaths.
12
I have lived in LA for more than forty years and I can tell you the air quality today is an incredible achievement compared to 1981.
So Donald, respectfully, all my despise towards your actions.
25
Isn’t it possible that trump WANTS California to succeed? Wouldn’t that leave him with a lot less electoral votes to worry about??
3
No, it’s not possible.
I’ve never felt such rage
41
Pollution from auto exhaust is not as big a problem in the less populated rural states where Trump gets most of his electoral votes.
It's an easy policy decision by the President of His Electoral Voters.
9
California bureaucrats can’t even keep the human you-know-what off their sidewalks and streets.
And they are going to tell us how to stop global warming?
1
That would be the SF city government.
California government has been very successful at reducing greenhouse gases and getting rid of smog and acid rain from California.
24
Good one, I see the total equivalence between recognizing that tailpipe emissions are bad for your health and cause sickness that cost society millions or billions over the years, and letting people who are impoverished live near civilization where restaurants charging $20 for a hamburger throw out tons of perfectly good food every day. Yep, you have the true measure of California, Mr Seattle, coming from a place too cold and rainy to live outside most of the year. They come for the weather and stay for the food.
17
California, Oregon, Washington: The Pacific States of America. Just you wait.
39
The entire automobile industry is moving to an all electric fleet and there is nothing Trump can do to stop it but he can make it harder and most expensive for everyone who wants to own a car in the future.
The future of automobile racing will involve electric motors.
Corvette rolled out a much rumored mid-engine car and they are already get a hybrid set up ready to go.
https://www.motor1.com/news/367673/c8-corvette-hybrid-spied-video/
What the heck is Trump doing and who does he think he is serving?
18
"I love the smell of Diesel truck and bus pollution in the morning; It smells...like...Victory !"
(I'm doing some speech writing here for the President)
15
@JPS
I have a T-Shirt from Geno's Garage that says exactly that!
Bone-spurs won’t get the reference - he wasn’t there.
1
The Alabamafication of America continues. Trump appeals to the lowest common denominator, and the GOP is suddenly opposed to states having any rights. This is almost as rich as Mitch and Elaine. The GOP is truly grotesque.
49
@Joseph No one in CA is even going to listen to Trump nor implement his cancellation. Sorry he has no power in CA
1
This is our state. We wanted better results, not less. Why would this be wrong? Go home Donny. Get out of our state. Now!
31
"In recent months, the administration’s broader weakening of nationwide auto-emissions standards has become plagued with delays as staff members struggled to prepare legal, technical or scientific justifications for it. "
Within the context of an agency charged with protecting the environment, "justifications" is not the word you'd be looking for. There's another word that suits much better, but it can't be published in this medium.
16
I predict the auto industry is going to read the writing on the wall and strive to meet California standards with or without Trump. They know he'll be gone soon and the push for climate-change regulation is only going to grow. No point in taking a step backwards if they're going to have to move forward in coming years.
26
So much for the GOP believing in state’s rights
22
@JH The GOP believes in one thing and that is profit no matter what it destroys to obtain it.
2
We need the names of every.single.person.at.fundraising.dinners.
28
How ironic that our dictator / Big Baby President is performing his latest power play at the EPA. No doubt the Republicans will do nothing about this, either - they know that California's Electoral College votes are lost to them. I wish the rest of the country would follow suit. He's a disgrace and an embarrassment. The people who vote for him deserve him, but I don't.
20
California should use their economic clout and seriously threaten secession.
16
The senselessness and cruelty of many of this administrations policies are on display for all to see. The regulations they have rolled back, all to literally rape our lands for corporate profit are reprehensible. This is possibly worse because it is meant to punish a state that would rather have trump NEVER enter its borders. How this all ends is really scary to me, when 40% of the population appears to be anarchists that seem to be content in burning our republic to the ground. Newsflash, they are doing a great job of it.
16
Trump is threatened by intelligent government and rightly so.
8
So much for Federalist Society states rights ideals.
14
California is not "dictating" what other states should do, as claimed by Andrew Wheeler. No other state must adopt California environmental standards, even though they are the best in the nation. Even car manufacturers want to go electric--they know the public wants electric transport.
Trump goes against the Constitution's proclamation of States' rights, against the Constitution's support of science, against the Constitution's guarantee promoting the general welfare of Americans.
Trump and his elected Republican cronies' constant support of fossil fuel interests, against human, animal and plant life, against science, makes a person wonder how much personal investment he and cronies have in fossil fuels, and, how enormous are their campaign donations from fossil fuel interests.
It's clear the U.S. government is for sale. Big Pharma, Big Chemical, ConAgra, Big Oil, the NRA write legislation against life and donate heavily to Republicans, in service of revenue. The deaths they cause are just so much collateral damage.
30
Ok, so Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, GM build cars that get 35 MPG and Toyota has the same features but gets 55 MPG. Guess where my dollars will be spent. Make Japan Great Again.
53
This is a state’s rights issue. I hope the rest of the country sees this blatant over-reach and throws some support our way, regardless of how they feel about air quality.
23
State's Rights activists are out to lunch whenever Trump speaks.
It's a matter of misguided policy.
1
Does Trump know he is dealing with one of the top 10 largest economies in the world? 13 states including the densely populated Northeasterns have adopted CA's emissions standards. Automakers are for once doing the right thing and asking Trump to cease and desist. GenX/Y and MIllenials who are generally environmentalists should take note and vote to get this earth slaying grifter out in 2020.
45
@robert
Actually we are currently the 5th largest economy internationally. But you are correct he is definitely an "earth slaying grifter" and he needs to go!
3
Um, I thought these R-guys liked state’s rights.
And to remember the LA air quality experience in the 60-80’s and deny the right to fix it? Weird in purely practical terms. Rs and Ds have been onboard for a long long time. It was past ideological politics. It helped.
What’s so “great” about un-fixing that?
18
Don’t take the bait. He wants us to go up in arms. That’s the actual plan - the only plan -because the only real goal is to dismantle the government while we’re busy screaming.
Roil the enemy to energize his base - some of whom really do want to dismantle the government, most of whom don’t, but who, like us, are caught up in their own screaming.
Most Americans, left and right, are too decent to realize we are all being manipulated -used - by our emotions.
Ignoring him - except in the courts - and the voting booths - is the only way to diffuse him.
At some point, people will tire of spending so much energy hating and will thirst for something decent.
Save your energy. You might need it to survive the inevitable long lines at the voting booth...
20
The Republicans believed in states rights in the past. Perhaps the Republicans in Congress can remember that now.
6
I lived in the Bay Area during the '70s. The air pollution was so bad that it was common that you couldn't see the mountains on the east side of Santa Clara Valley from the center of it. The population was less than half of what it is today.
I get that Trump hates all things California. He'll never get our vote. I get that he hates all things Obama. He'll never be the man that Obama is. And he knows it. He's like a little kid, smashing something because he can't figure out how to put it together.
More than anything, this little escapade with Trump has shown me that our system of government needs a serious retooling. Our president, and I don't care who that is, shouldn't be able to make any policy without oversight from Congress. Get rid of the EC and the Senate. Neither represents the will of the American citizens. One person, one vote.
40
Soon all the pumping physically possible will not be able to stop Florida from drowning. But I suppose Mar-a-Lago is small enough that it can be completely encircled with a big beautiful wall. People will come from all over the world in their helicopters to see the last remaining property on the Florida coast.
8
Ok guys I have leafed through all the comments and I haven’t seen the most obvious connection noted - Trump is on a fund-raiser to California and with this ploy he is pandering to his well-heeled donors. I am sure he doesn’t give a flip whether this rollback really succeeds or not - he just wants money for his re-election campaign. Making the EPA announce it is like having somebody dig his own grave before shooting him - pretty sick, as well as mean - classic Trump I must say.
10
The rights of states are only important when they suit a particular skewed Republican agenda.
The auto industry has voluntarily used the California standard even though the national regs are more lax. This is just more of IQ4.5 showing obedience to the Russian requests to create chaos in the U.S.
5
This really is incredibly disheartening and demoralizing, from both a government morality standpoint and an environmental standpoint.
8
Good. Let the idjit gut every climate rule there is. The more the merrier. If the popular tide doesn't turn now it never will. I think enough people are waking up to the severity of our climate catastrophe that he will be swept out of office on a tidal wave of disgust. The wanton corporate degradation, despoliation, and pollution of our shared environment has to stop, and he is forcing the issue.
15
We are now seen around the globe as transactional only - a “pay for play” economy that hires our services out, including the military, to the highest bidder. With Saudi Arabia expecting our “help,” what does it say about us that the president would ask for Their input before, what, he bombs Iran to concede to the Saudis who support his hotel empire?
Is DeVos’ brother so powerful under Trump that we now are an army for sale?
10
Trump and his minions think they can get the Supreme court to rule in their favor of having the federal government strike down an individual state's right in setting up auto emission rules that protect the state's air quality and health of the local citizenry. That might be a bit premature as most conservative judges and their rulings since the 90's New Fedaralism revolution mostly enhanced state's rights. If the federal government is to get primacy in deciding the air quality of individual states, a future Democrat in the White House can swing the pendulum the other way not only on this topic but also on abortion, assault weapons and various other items on conservative love lists. Trumpy and his MAGA folk are usually clueless on the scope of unintended consequences!!
4
So, what if Trump wins, but California then sets vehicle registration fees that are punitive to low mileage cars making them uncompetitive with high mileage cars?
14
This makes perfect sense.
The funny part? The progressives who want California to be as different from Pres. Trump as possible are the same people who preach more power every day for the central government based in D.C.
So, which is it? All power for D.C. or states' rights?
Yes, CA is our TOP voice for states' rights today.
And republican conservatives have long championed states rights. What’s your point?
4
Trump is a coward in announcing the action the day he speeds through the Bay Area. He is afraid to face us.
8
California should secede and establish a democracy.
19
@617to416
Tell you what, California: clean up the train loads of - 'that brown stuff' - all over your sidewalks, the rat-borne diseases, and people doing drugs in tent cities, and THEN you can preach to us about letting non-citizens vote in federal elections.
1
Uh huh, sure thing. And where did all those people come from? Other states, often put on a bus from wherever with a one-way ticket and encouragement to stay away, or else.
This is absolutely insane, even the car companies want stricter standards...this man has to go, he's insane. Old white guys trying to drag us back to the good old days of 1950. Even high performance cars today get more than 2x the mileage of the muscle cars of the 50's and 60's and have more horsepower. This is technological advancement. The republicans don't recognize science, human health concerns, nothing!!! The world is upside down right now...crazy!
11
I’m not a supporter of Trump’s actions but I do wonder if most automakers would have been/are able to hit the 54.5 mpg number within the next 5 years? Looking at the current lineup of major automakers, none seem even close. There would have to be far more electric vehicles being produced and far more consumers willing to buy them. Two huge ifs in a relatively short period of time.
1
Look into the partnership with Ford and VW , lots of electrics headed our way, from two of the largest automakers in the world. We have Tesla near completion of a huge factory cranking out batteries outside of Reno, and charging stations are becoming common place all over the state. It’s already happening, so this MPG shenanigan is just a last gasp to eke out a few more dollars from the big oil donors.
3
There is no bottom.
18
Dictators used to kill people by the sword, but now they can use gas. So they do.
7
We can, and should put an end to this nonsense. We all have rootops &/or yards that can draw energy from the sun via solar panels! Wire those panels to the garage & install a charger. Buy an electric vehicle! Then, say good-by to Saudi Arabia & Mohammed Bone Saw. Say goodbye to BP & Deepwater Horizon devastation. Say goodbye to $21 billion in subsidies to Big Oil! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/climate-consensus-97-per-cent/2018/jul/30/america-spends-over-20bn-per-year-on-fossil-fuel-subsidies-abolish-them
Say goodbye to 5 million premature deaths per year from polluted air!
https://psmag.com/environment/air-pollution-is-killing-more-people-than-smoking-and-fossil-fuels-are-largely-to-blame
Your children will LOVE you for it!
2
Something
Something
States
Rights
Something
Something
8
"Trump Plans to Kill California’s Clean-Air Authority"?
How about a pre-set headline: "Trump pans to kill [[fill in the blank with anything beneficial to our nation or its people, or even good and decent]]?
Retrograde views and unprecedented corruption aside, what an utterly malign force Trump is, intend on killing, trashing, or destroying anything in his path!
An unnatural, yet man-made catastrophe!
5
The question of Why can best be answered by a psychiatrist.
7
I'm tired of living DOWN to Trumpian/Republican standards.
9
Ironically this move might hurt American car markers. Compact cars are expensive because they have to meet environmental standards, while trucks usually don't. Compact cars are dominated by Honda and Toyota, so now they'll be able to sell more compacts.
3
This is as pointlessly destructive (and hopefully futile) as the recent declaration that the administration would roll back energy standards for light bulbs. Companies have already retooled to produce more energy efficient products, and higher standards are required in virtually every other market worldwide. Manufacturers are unlikely to turn back the clock just because the Trump administration says they can.
4
Time to rename the EPA as the Environmental Prostitution Agency. How can the heads of agencies stand by as Trump makes a mockery of their missions? Oh...I forgot. They all come from the businesses regulated, and they all have dollar signs in their eyes along with fear of Trump in their hearts. What a mockery of protecting the public good. Maybe we should all move to California and build a wall to keep the nuts out. Maybe California, Oregon and Washington should secede from the Union. That's 15% of the population and about 40% of the intellectual capital.
11
he better go and play golf...we are safer.
5
Pandering to sheiks and oligarchs.
7
Time to leave this disunion.
6
So, I go to Texas and I have to take my inhaler with me !
Now I will have to do that in California as well ?
Has this guy no shame ? He is cruel !! Can someone check him ? For god sake !!!
7
Trump and his Republican apparatchiks are a pathetic group of hypocrites. This little emissions ditty is just more Obama bashing and climate change denial. But the good news is that they are also foolish—they don’t see even a small piece of the future which will bring rejection to their head-in-the-sand approach to America and the world. Whether it’s climate change, guns, health care, etc., etc., they don’t seem to realize that they will soon be relegated to de minimus neighborhoods such as those occupied by racists, sexists, xenophobes and homophobes. It’s just a matter of time.
8
Trump pollutes human intelligence, our visual aesthetics and auditory fields whenever he looms upon us to speak. He pollutes ethical standards, not more so than in the Presidency.
This wasn't enough? Now he intends to poison the air we breathe?
That is one big noxious contaminant in the White House.
6
Seriously time for those in Blue States to consider seceding from the union. Let's go our own way.
16
@Arthur Levine
Sounds amazing to me
Give the blue states 60 miles from the west coast all the way and 60 miles from the east coast from Boston to the DC metro.
Then build a wall that is enforced with gunfire and stop all food shipments in.
The best thing to happen to real Americans in decades.
1
California rules! Viva California!
10
It's clear the Trump administration is out to KILL people. It's as simple as that.
7
Maybe instead of shooting someone on Fifth Ave., this is Trump killing folks living near the Santa Monica Freeway. Now even Pelosi would have to admit that's an impeachable offense.
7
Where is the Republican battle cry for individual state's rights against the oppressive Feds? ...Maybe it is drowned out by shear volume of hypocrisy!
9
Well, that's a sharp blow against the right-wing "states rights" advocates. They've been shouting "States Rights" since the Confederacy, the Dixiecrats, and the current wing-nuts.
Hey, Donald, did you think about this at all? You just set a bad precedent, president. How are you going to tell the guv that you can't issue an executive order nullifying the 13th Amendment, enabling slavery in Alabama once again? The guv has been on his knees for two years, begging, claiming "States Rights." Now, what are you going to do?
3
Just another example of why the Republican Party is becoming irrelevant in California. Voter registration has the GOP third behind the Democrats and Independents. We will not take a step backwards by allowing an anti-science vindictive, egotistical tyrant to destroy the progress we have made towards improving our air and water quality.
11
What happened to State's rights? I thought that was a GOP thing?
3
The Republican Party finally repudiates States Rights, just to add pollution to all of our air.
I am a shareholder of Ford. I intend to write the CEO to encourage Ford to VOLUNTARILY comply with the California standard.
7
Will Trump's attempts to destroy the earth's environment in this instance mean that American automakers will be bound to having to build two types of cars - one clean, fuel efficient type to sell to the rest of the world; and another line of vehicles that are dirty, fuel guzzlers to make his coal and fracking oligarchs happy?
4
Turnabout is fair play, yes?
Everything Trump touches is destroyed or corrupted.
9
How can this possibly be happening -- be allowed to happen? Such a reckless, destructive Trump indulgence . . . Beyond imagining -- not that he would want to do this, but that he actually can???????
3
We will prevail in CA.
5
For the love of god, I have never seen anyone as egregiously
unstable as the occupant of the oval office. He is shockingly
consistent in his upping the stupid ante. He's the definition of
kakistocracy. It will take decades to undo the social chasms that
trumpism has wrought on America. All of these erosions have full republican support. We are witnessing serious attempts to
usurp democracy in favor of autocratic rule by rich unscrupulous
men. Like Hong Kong, we need to get people in the streets to
protest, on a daily basis until this clown and his posse are gone.
6
More raging insanity from an unhinged President who is unable to create; he can only tear down other people's accomplishments. A sad, sorry little man with a bloated glass ego.
15
Since our government has seemed to have lost all common sense, it will be left to the businesses to lead. It is not business's responsibility, but making sure that their customers are safe and alive is always a good business practice.
3
This Texan will go to California to buy her next car. Yes, that's how much my lungs need clean air.
9
Still waiting for someone to arrest and try his royal Trumpiness for crimes against humanity and the planet... Either that, or us Americans need to wake up and take back this country from him and his merry-band of Republican robber barons.
7
According to the Smithsonian, 1300 residents of Los Angeles lose their lives each year due to smog already. How much worse would this be if regulations are relaxed? Make no mistake, our President is happy to implement policies resulting in the deaths of his own citizens. Our lives mean less than nothing to him. Never have. Never will.
12
If California’s authority is revoked, there are other steps they can take. They can ban the ale and registration of internal combustion engines in the state altogether, starting with a phase out of older ICE vehicles (Like Switzerland does)and state taxes on newer ones, perhaps based on engine displacement or their EPA mileage. They could allow out of state visiting gas and diesel cars and trucks only, to avoid federal pre-emption, and vigorously prosecute California residents that try to register such vehicles out of state.
1
I thought the states were supposed to be incubators If creativity and alternatives?
4
Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, and BMW have been given a gift: stand firm with California on lower emissions and the worldwide customer loyalty rewards will be enormous.
21
I dream of secession.
20
CalExit is sounding really good right now. I would put my tax money for a wall to the East of California to keep out the polluters on the land and the gun manufacturers. We also need a biosphere to protect our air. This is outrageous that California is banned from protecting our citizens because a no nothing President has sold out to polluters. Vote all Republicans out of office in 2020.
18
Does this mean that I don't have to look at, and don't have to worry about, the dire CA warnings on my push lawn mower ?
Seeing as how you live in New Jersey, then yes.
1
Let's see...
In the past week the Trump administration has decided to roll back clean water regulations, energy efficient light bulbs and stricter auto emission and efficiency standards. And in today's news they're also going after energy efficient dishwashers and the Energy Star program.
Is there something the "Environmental Protection Agency" has missed to unprotect yet?
Ironic that the EPA was a Nixon era invention and the the California Air Resources Board was a Ronald Reagan invention.
12
@Steve Here
I wish I could recommend Steve Here's comment one thousand times.
Let's hope residents and farmers, etc, in the "Red States" in mid-America, wake up and start voting for themselves, instead of voting for the evangelicals and the righteous folks, who are decent people, but the 1% is using them as a tool, to get people to vote in a way that benefits the very rich, instead of the voters.
Voters, in every state, please figure this out and vote for yourself, not for some theoretical idea, not for some platitude.
Please remember that this country's system is set up to represent the people who live here, not for the 1%, Trump and the men who control him and own 50% of the country's assets.
Evangelicals, you are voting for the 1% to take more money and life flexibility away from you.
11
Its all about erasing the black president and punishing Californians. All of us.
23
Clean air, clean water, and energy efficiency should be embraced by all people of good will. This should not be a partisan issue.
22
So not republican! Thought state rights trumped federal rights. So confused. What does the GOP stand for. No doubt this loses him them election.
3
Trump is pushing California toward secession so all of its electoral votes won't prevent his reelection. But if California leaves, the blue states of the northeast and the west coast will have to leave as well.
7
Plenty of us in California - a "donor" state - are ready to leave but the "recipient" states will never allow it.
6
@WDG
And don’t forget Austin.
1
Very disappointing article. How can the WH revoke an exception granted to California by law?
The California ARB website explains:
“The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) allows California to seek a waiver of the federal preemption that prohibits states and local jurisdictions from enacting emission standards and other emission-related requirements for new motor vehicles and engines. (CAA section 209(a)). ARB serves as the representative of California in filing waiver requests with U.S. EPA. ...
Under CAA Section 209 U.S. EPA must grant California a waiver unless the Administrator finds that:
� California was arbitrary and capricious in its finding that its standards are, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public health and welfare as applicable federal standards;
� California does not need such standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions; or
� such standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are not consistent with Section202(a) of the Clean Air Act.”
It sounds as though the burden of proof for denying a waiver rests with the EPA, but where in the article are opinions from legal scholars?
If “... the administration’s broader weakening of nationwide auto-emissions standards has become plagued with delays as staff members struggled to prepare legal, technical or scientific justifications for it.” Doesn’t revoking the waiver require these same justifications?
6
I will always be baffled why media outlets like the New York Times or CNN or even MSNBC, ostensibly reasonable organizations, backed this man.
They might claim they were just sharing the news as they saw it, or that they didn’t, but it’s hard to see how these organizations can be so naive or how they didn’t back him, respectively.
They had him on their pages or screens seemingly 24/7 throughout the last presidential elections.
Now, he’s running havoc on nearly everybody and everything, except them, I guess: he started with immigrants, but seems to have evolved to get to Americans themselves: the environment, taxes etc etc.
It will alway baffle me how such monstrosity could receive so much help from these supposedly sensible organizations.
It makes one wonder whether these news organizations can be trusted and what’s really going on with them. Who or what exactly are they, and what is it that they really do, if anything?!
4
Even if the waiver is revoked, can’t California and the 13 states that follow it just set high registration fees and sales taxes for new cars above their emissions standard in order to get the same result?
2
@Bob
Perhaps, but the politicians likely remember the lesson they learned when Gray Davis set high registration fees.
2
Not only is Trump's action an assault on our environment and our health - it's an assault on our economy as well.
Why try to fly in the face of the laws of supply and demand? Trump puts U.S. carmakers and consumers at a disadvantage while the whole world needs and is working on emissions standards. We will no longer be competitive if we give up working on them now. The automakers know this, and want a stable regulatory system they can depend on for future production.
7
I remembered what California air quality was like before California set tougher standards. The same petty small administration in the white house also took the federal funding for high speed trains. All because California passed a law for presidential candidates to release their tax returns to be in the primary.
7
I fail to understand why it would be a problem for the automakers if California and some other states have higher standards than the others. Just make all cars conform to the strictest standard. Problem solved!
5
The GOP has always claimed to be committed to states’ rights, and small government. How do they explain this seizure of power?
4
It is trump against the world. China and Europe will not roll back to the dark ages. Automakers will have to comply with the stricter standards in order to compete, no ... in order to sell cars there. Why put our industry at a competitive disadvantage, with no demonstrable benefit. This is simply vengeful, spiteful, anti-Obama, anti-science dark ages anger.
12
Open question to the President and his fellow Republicans. What happened to state’s rights? Or is this yet another example of “do as I say, not as I do”?
I’m curious how he and the GOP square this circle.
7
California does not need to use the Clean Air Act. They can ban the sale of vehicles with low gas milage as surely as Virginia can ban radar detector and New Jersey can ban self-serve gasoline.
9
Republicans are all against the Federal government and for States' rights until they aren't.
3
What powers California? Thanks to aggressive environmental legislation 50% of power comes from renewable resources;
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/24/climate/how-electricity-generation-changed-in-your-state.html
What powers the GOP? Petrochemical and coal lobbies.
5
What Does E.P.A. stand for? And for the Republicans "states rights" matter only when we say they do
1
If Donald Trump and the GOP listened to scientists, they would understand that these new auto emission laws will have a negative impact on white supremests as well as Democrats and people of color.
4
Wait, I thought we were all for local control, especially our GOP friends?
5
If the worst outcome materializes, the response is simple: willful disregard for a corrupt executive and judicial branch. Confiscate cars that don’t meet CA standards. Sue in state courts. The Constitution is an artificial human construct. We are no more bound by ancient parchment than we allow ourselves to be. Rule of law is meaningless when law is capricious, malicious, unjust, and destructive.
7
Republicans promote states' rights until a state takes actions that might threaten their control over the American population.
We started out with a modified Democracy, i.e. white men voted and even then the Electoral College white men chose the leadership.
Can we begin to speak about this openly and honestly, please, as a start ?
4
he will be either going to a mental hospital or jail. if he thinks he can run roughshod over California, let him try.
5
What’s the problem. State’ rights. Right?
So, where did all the state's rights people go?
2
One one hand republican preach the rights of the individuals like in the case of gun control. But when it comes to abortion or the environment, the Federal government wants to be in control. Hypocrites.
1
Wherever he goes, may Trump spend a lot of time stuck in traffic. Obviously, polluted air has already gone to his head.
3
Trump and cronies are clearly diabolical.
Frankly, I don't think they care.
They are not only climate change "deniers".
They simply don't care.
Enriching themselves is their only goal.
They are not people that have accomplished in life.
These are people that were given much, never had to work for it and don't want to stop the gravy train.
EPA rules---what a bother!
4
@William Mason
Agree, they don't care.
This is a game for them, for the Koch brothers, etc.
They just play each day to see what next they can accomplish to gain more control over people.
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What’s next, adding lead back to gasoline? Sheesh.
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Hey conservatives...whatever happened to states' rights? Oh that's right...the Federal gov't is only bad when it's doing stuff you don't support. Riiiiight.
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Is there nothing this man will not trample over? Why is a nation of 331 million people putting up with this psychopathy and ineptitude?
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Can we sue the president of the US?
If it's legal... why not "The People of the United States" can do it????
1
Trump is a merchant of death, no matter how you slice it. ALL his policies are about promoting pollution, war, inequality, ignorance, and violence.
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"It's my right to shove as much polluted air down your lungs as I see fit!", Donald Trump, and his EPA.
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What?! What about how Conservatives are always crying about states rights???!!! Another court battle! Because I know California will not accept Trump’s overreach!
What’s to be gained by revoking Clean Air and Water?! Vote Trump out!
Someday there will Nuremburg style trials for crimes against the environment.
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Trump should go back to the White House and eat burgers, drink cokes, and watch Fox News for the rest of his term. California has no use for him or his kind.
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Making America Great Again. Remind me: For who?
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Gee, I wonder what California meager Republican party thinks about this?
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More insanity from the Prince of Chaos.
4
About 40% of the electorate consists of religious fanatics, gun nuts, and various shades of authoritarian white supremacists. Unfortunately, the Electoral College allows this crackpot minority to rule the sane parts of the nation with results like those described in this article.
This is why we need a bluexit. I, for one, am tired of arguing with bigots and religious fanatics. Let them build their dumpster-fire dystopia in the old Confederacy, so long as we never have to hear from them again. In fact, a wall around red states is the one wall I would be happy to pay for.
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The very idea! trump et al want to revoke California's right to decent air quality - what is wrong with this picture? We Caifornians will fight this tooth and nail and I wonder if the SCOTUS won't fear further damaging implications in this attempt to limit states' rights.
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There needs to be a name change since the EPA cannot claim any protective stance towards our environment, why not go with TPA?
Trump's Punative Agency should cover a host of transgressions.
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Automakers have the right to make vehicles cleaner and safer, year after year, and they have done so. For owners, MPG is part of the equation when deciding to buy or lease a vehicle, as is safety. There is a balance to making a car get better fuel economy while also providing the safest ride, as one way to get better mileage is to lighten the load the engine must move, allowing smaller displacement engines which use less fuel - but lighter cars do not fair as well in the physics of a car crash. Mitigating the risk for smaller cars involves reducing the chances of crashing in the first place, so today, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking assist, as well as pedestrian warning, backup cameras, speed zone recognition, etc, are employed in both small cars and larger trucks. Automakers must factor in the mix of cars on the road, the speeds we demand for driving, the number of passengers or cargo people ask for. Setting standard targets for efficiency levels the paying field and allows the R&D departments to focus on the best ways to get there. The market drives what automakers produce based on what consumers want. and most people, if the price were the same and amenities similar, will choose a more fuel efficient vehicle. Mr. President, if you poll the nation, everyone wants cleaner air AND better fuel economy, in the safest vehicles they can afford. Automakers want to provide those solutions and have proven they can do it. Please, step aside.
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"In a speech on Tuesday, Andrew Wheeler, the head of the E.P.A., said, 'We embrace federalism and the role of the states, but federalism does not mean that one state can dictate standards for the nation.' ”
This is the flimsiest of logic considering that the California Air Resource Board's agreements with auto makers was limited to cars in California and also completely voluntary. Andrew Wheeler is either naive or has very few employment options.
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Doesn’t a federal statute have to be changed by Congress? (Well unless its the voting rights act and John Roberts decides its just isn’t necessary anymore).
Exactly nothing Trump is proposing will stop anyone in California from buying the ‘green’ vehicle of their choice.
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This is the sound of a Trump supporter who know he’s been betrayed by this con man but can’t admit it.
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OK what's next: will he coerce automakers to build more polluting vehicles ?
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I am from Canada and would love to give a few CAD$ to California in defense of the environment. Could someone refer me (and a lot more individuals I would guess) to a specific site to donate. Stand tall.
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@Welcome Canada: thanks for your solidarity. Natural Resources Defense Council would be my first recommendation, followed by Coalition for Clean Air. There are plenty of others.
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@Christine
Thank you. Just made a donation, doing a little part to counter the Grifter in DC.
3
I plan on contacting the auto companies to let them know how important clean air standards are to me & that any regression in standards by their company will force me to look elsewhere for any new vehicle purchases.
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What’s next? Will Trump pressure the Joint Commission to ease back on infection control standards at hospitals?
Geez, I hope I haven't given his staff any ideas.
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Hahaha. Good one. Agree. Is the science on antibiotics even sound? Didn't some guy back in the dark ages stumble across penicillin by chance and now we shove it down the throats of our citizens? And Obama did nothing against this injustice?? Let's take apart the CDC and roll back infectious disease measurements until we know what is really going on. Fox announced a program on it tonight.... Sarcasm off.
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@Me
Hate to say it, but Trump is likely to shrug his shoulders and say there is no problem with a bit of Candida auris or Clostridium difficile among friends.
@Me
Hate to say it, but Trump is likely to shrug and say there is no problem with a bit of Candida auris or Clostridium difficile among friends.
Trump is jealous of California and hates it, too. How dare we oppose him? He is using his Mafiosi tactics on California. He rules by fear. But we in California will not get intimidated by him. We will not allow him to succeed in polluting our air.
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How would I react if I would read this news about another country? I assume I would shake my head in disbelieve. I would feel relief that something so utterly absurd and inadequate could never happen in my country.
Now I wonder how many are shaking their heads around the world when they read about the newest political backflip in time from the current administration. The air in CA is too clean! Go figure!
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Fifty years ago Joni Mitchell wrote her song about Woodstock in which she noted that she had "come here to lose the smog."
Dig out your copy of Pete Seeger's song "My Rainbow Race" or Melanie Safka's cover of it. Meditate on the mantra of "it's too soon to die."
While you are at it, instead of driving your kids to school, have them walk or bike or take the school bus.
Most importantly, vote out of office those politicians who want to poison the planet.
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The reincarnation of the Bear Republic would give Democrats 55 less electoral votes.
Just thinking.
It's hard to fathom the depths of Trump's cravenness and stupidity that leads him to sabotage auto emissions standards in California at a time when every sane person knows that we need to be reducing greenhouse gases.
A pox on Trump and the bootlickers in EPA leadership that do his dirty-work. The EPA is now the Environmental Placation Agency, with Donald Trump's ego the thing that's being placated.
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The headline should more correctly read: "Trump plans to kill California's People".
He would if he could.
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I’m tired of the right wing hypocrisy. Can they formally renounce states rights and individual freedoms. Please just admit you are Authoritarians, and never really cared about democracy.
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Ignorance + Arrogance/Narcissism = Evil
That's the standard trumpian equation at work here.
8
California can use this opportunity to embrace AOC's new green deal and get rid of their cars, planes, and cows.
All those cars in the picture is a good start.
Or they can whine and whinge against Trump.
We all know which option they will choose. Apparently it's more fun.
1
Our state has almost 40 million people. That means that more than 1/10 Americans live here. That might not matter to a Texan but what Trump or doesn't do matters a lot.
Lawsuits aren't whining. They are crucial when your rights are under siege.
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What is wrong with these people in the Trump administration? Did their parents not show them enough affection? I feel like somebody in the DOE needs a hug and a blankie.
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If Trump is contented living in a gilded cave, that's fine for this primitive primate. (Well, of course not really, but what progressive really cares to drag along a wild boar on the road to reparations for man's impact on the planet.)
But no penthouse is so high above it all, no cave so remote on the globe, no second or third vacation manse so bubbled in privilege as to escape what the fool ruling conservatives are convinced they can or just deny exist.
We all share the air, water and ground. Fact. No exceptions. Fact. I keep repeating myself but can not find reason to stop.
There is but one globe and the toxins they insist are OK to keep spewing into our shared surroundings will smite them just like the rest of us peons. Mother...Nature...will...lay...you...low.
2
For trump it is so often a vedetta. He has really found his stride in throwing his considerable weight around. The power of the presidency needs to be tightened up. We can't let him get another term. Imagine what that might look like.
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What possible justification could he and his minions have for this action? Answer: there is no justification. The Toddler-in-Chief got his feelings hurt, hates California and wants to knock down everything Mr. Obama did. That's what this is all about. He is despicable.
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By this time next year Trump will be mandating a return to whale oil for our lamps.
5
Well thanks Mr Trump european, chinese, indian and japanese technology will leave your car industry dead within ten years.
For once I think he's wonderfull. Hey, this is scary!!!!!
3
The master of vindictive revenge has decided if he can't win in California to choke it to death.
3
Nothing motivates millennials more than the environment and the draft. Trump just hit both this week with his "let's send our kids to Iran" and "kill off clearn air."
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“We embrace federalism and the role of the states, but federalism does not mean that one state can dictate standards for the nation.”
The idiocy of this administration knows no bounds! If other states want to follow our lead and embrace science and the health and welfare of its citizens, so be it!
2
America gather your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Lift a lamp beside the golden door at 721–725 Fifth Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. And move this Trump dude, and all the billionaires in his retinue, out of Washington DC, they are the refuse of your teeming shores.
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Trump's scandal de jour.
He's inner turmoil dictates his propensity to punish others.
Why would he care if California had higher standards, standards that the manufacturers seem willing to abide by ?
One miserable dude.
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