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EPA, NHTSA issue One National Program Rule; EPA withdraws CA waiver for GHG and fuel economy

Green Car Congress

Specifically, in this action, NHTSA is affirming that its statutory authority to set nationally applicable fuel economy standards under the express preemption provisions of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) dictates that such state and local programs are preempted. Earlier post.)

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EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Green Car Congress

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). issued its final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb) from 75 ppb to protect public health. Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the air.

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Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Green Car Congress

In a statement released this morning, President Barack Obama said he has requested that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson withdraw the agency’s draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) rulemaking. Earlier post.) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

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US EPA proposing allowing high-octane, higher ethanol content fuels as part of Tier 3 regs; E30 as example

Green Car Congress

Having approval for such a high octane certification fuel would, the EPA proposed in the Tier 3 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: help manufacturers that wish to raise compression ratios to improve vehicle efficiency, as a step toward complying with the 2017 and later light-duty greenhouse gas and CAFE standards (2017 LD GHG). Earlier post.)

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Study finds damage due to premature mortality from PM2.5 decreased >20% from 2008 to 2014

Green Car Congress

related damages, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford have found that, US-economy-wide, gross external damage (GED) due to premature mortality has decreased by more than 20% from 2008 to 2014. We do not include damages from morbidity or other pollutants such as exposure to nitrogen oxides (NO x ) or ozone.

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MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

Green Car Congress

Source of data: US EPA (2019). NO x is a precursor for both ground level ozone and secondary PM 2.5 EPA is targeting implementation in the 2027 timeframe while CARB is focusing efforts on phasing in more stringent standards in 2024 and again in 2027 with the hope of aligning with EPA as a national standard. Chart: MECA.

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House Chairmen Waxman, Markey Release Draft of Energy and Climate Legislation; Among the Many Provisions Are Cap-and-Trade, Harmonization of CAFE and California Vehicle Regulations, and Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Green Car Congress

The bill also directs the President to work with the relevant Federal agencies and California to harmonize, to the maximum extent possible, the federal fuel economy standards, any emission standards promulgated by EPA, and the California standards for light-duty vehicles. Transportation Efficiency. light duty vehicles—e.g.,

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