EPA Takes Aim At Fuel Efficiency Rules

With Jennifer Glasse

President Trump's EPA says emissions standards for cars and trucks are too high. It's going to set up a fuel-efficiency fight with California, which wants to stay with the Obama-era rules.

"This is probably Administrator Scott Pruitt's biggest action on the climate change front, because transportation makes up the majority of greenhouse gas emissions," Carolyn Lochhead, Washington correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle, told guest host Jennifer Glasse.

That's going to set up "not just a conflict," but a "monumental legal fight," Lochhead said.

Meanwhile, environmentalists are concerned.

"It's a huge gift to polluters, and it's a cynical effort to make America polluted again," says Daniel Becker, the director of the Safe Climate Campaign.

We explored the implications in this segment of On Point. We also talked about the future of self-driving cars after fatal accidents raise concerns.

Guests:

Carolyn Lochhead, Washington correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle. (@carolynlochhead)

Daniel Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign.

From The Reading List:

San Francisco Chronicle: Trump's EPA Moves to Roll Back Emissions Rules for Cars, Trucks — "The Trump administration declared Monday that President Barack Obama’s administration 'was wrong' to toughen emissions standards for new cars and trucks and moved to roll them back, setting up a major conflict with California and its stricter regulations for greenhouse gas pollutants."