United States to develop GHG emission regulations from vehicles and engines

17 May 2007

US President Bush issued an executive order directing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Transportation (DOT) to begin developing regulations that would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles. The order introduces a new policy for the agencies to work together to protect the environment from GHGs emitted by engines, and to do so “in a manner consistent with sound science, analysis of benefits and costs, public safety, and economic growth”.

The three federal agencies should prepare regulations for motor vehicles, nonroad vehicles, and nonroad engines that achieve this policy to the maximum extent permitted by law, and determined by the agencies to be practicable. The agencies should also consult with the Secretary of Agriculture whenever a regulatory action will have a significant effect on crops related to the production of renewable fuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel.

A starting point for developing the regulation will be the President’s “20-in-10” plan, which calls for reducing gasoline use by 20% over the next 10 years. The new regulations should be developed by the end of 2008. President Bush also called on Congress to support the regulations with appropriate legislation.

The new policy was triggered by the Supreme Court ruling that the EPA must take action under the Clean Air Act to regulate GHG emissions from motor vehicles, said President Bush.

Source: The White House