States Can’t Set Fuel Economy Standards, Says Michigan Lawmaker

In an effort to curb global warming emissions from cars and trucks, California and 12 other states want to be allowed to set their own fuel economy standards, which would override federal rules. Such a move would threaten the existence of U.S. automakers, said Rep. John Dingell (D-MI). Dingell is chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The rule proposed by California would set a standard of roughly 40.5 miles per gallon by 2016 for most cars and some trucks, compared to a standard of 35 mpg by 2020 approved by Congress last December. The Environmental Protection Agency has denied California’s request to put its rule in place.

Dingell said the decision of EPA Administrator, Stephen Jones, “makes good sense,” and that if California and other states proceed, the regulation will be a “terrible, terrible problem for everybody concerned.”