California Continues Clean-Car Quest

One of Barack Obama´s first actions as incoming US President could allow California to set its own limits on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied California´s request for a waiver exempting it from the US Clean Air Act, which mandates limits on air pollution levels but currently not greenhouse gas emissions. The Clean Air Act specifically allows California to apply for a waiver once it determines that its individual standards are as protective of health and safety as federal standards. California was permitted this option because its more stringent air pollution regulations pre-dated the creation of the legislation. According to California Air Resources Board (CARB), the so-called Pavley Waiver would mean reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While the initial focus was on cleaning up light-duty vehicles, there is now a larger effort to cut emissions from all sources.