Court rules against Trump administration's delay on car efficiency fines

[KelleyKramer]

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/384415-court-rules-against-trump-admins-delay-of-car-efficiency-fines


?itok=YJZn-jTA

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration cannot delay a regulation that increased automakers’ fines for cars that violate fuel efficiency standards. In a brief order that did not explain its reasoning, the New York City-based 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a July action by the Department of Transportation (DOT) that indefinitely delayed the increased penalties under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program.

The decision is the latest in a string of court defeats in the Trump administration’s attempts to roll back or delay various Obama administration environmental efforts, including in methane emissions, energy efficiency and other areas.

“The fuel efficiency standards penalty rule is a common sense measure that would protect consumers’ pocketbooks while reducing the carbon emissions that harm our health and drive climate change,” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D), who participated in the lawsuit that led to the ruling, said in a statement. “Today’s court order is a big win for New Yorkers’ and all Americans’ health and environment. As we’ve proven again and again, when the Trump administration puts special interests before public health and our environment, we’ll take them to court — and we will win.”

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The DOT last year agreed to review the rule and decided to indefinitely postpone it in the meantime. The increased penalties were due to take effect for the 2019 model year, so the agency reasoned that automakers need a longer lead time to adjust to a new regulation. Democratic state attorneys general and environmentalists sued, arguing that the DOT didn’t have the legal authority for an indefinite postponement.


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[MichMan]

1. What is NY going to do to force residents to buy electric and other fuel efficient vehicles ?

The auto manufacturers currently offer many fuel efficient cars, yet consumers sales continue to be Crossovers, Trucks and SUV. Wanting fuel prices to be low for consumers, yet expecting them to buy smaller fuel efficient vehicles goes against human nature.

I think they should institute a $3 per gallon state gasoline and diesel tax as an incentive.