Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the US.

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about to be able to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump revealed his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit.

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

Ypsilanti, Michigan – March 15, 2017

1. President Donald Trump arrives on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What the president announced today was he's going to review some fuel economy standards that were put in place by the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency. He's going to review those and possibly weaken them so they make it easier for automakers to comply."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I'm sure you've all heard the big news that we're going to work on the CAFE standards, so you can make cars in America again. We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you."

4. Various of Trump on stage and the "Buy American – Hire American" sign behind him

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"There are many, many environmental groups that would disagree that it's going to create any more jobs. There have been a lot of jobs created in meeting the standards over the years, but, if the automakers can comply easier and they can make more trucks and SUVs, they make more money. And that more than likely means more jobs as well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We're going to be fair. We're going to be fair."

7. Various of vehicles at the event site

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What this does is set up a confrontation with California, or a potential confrontation. California has different clean-air standards, and if the Trump administration relaxes what Obama had put in place right before he left office, California would want still the standard under the Obama administration _ the 36 mile-per-gallon standard. If that happens, the Trump administration might try to take away California's power to set its own emissions standards. And that could set off a big court fight. But that's probably a year, year-and-a-half down the road."

9. Trump waves to the crowd after his speech

President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump revealed his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit.

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

Ypsilanti, Michigan – March 15, 2017

1. President Donald Trump arrives on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What the president announced today was he's going to review some fuel economy standards that were put in place by the Obama administration's Environmental Protection Agency. He's going to review those and possibly weaken them so they make it easier for automakers to comply."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"I'm sure you've all heard the big news that we're going to work on the CAFE standards, so you can make cars in America again. We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you."

4. Various of Trump on stage and the "Buy American – Hire American" sign behind him

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"There are many, many environmental groups that would disagree that it's going to create any more jobs. There have been a lot of jobs created in meeting the standards over the years, but, if the automakers can comply easier and they can make more trucks and SUVs, they make more money. And that more than likely means more jobs as well."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) President Donald Trump:

"We are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We're going to be fair. We're going to be fair."

7. Various of vehicles at the event site

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer:

"What this does is set up a confrontation with California, or a potential confrontation. California has different clean-air standards, and if the Trump administration relaxes what Obama had put in place right before he left office, California would want still the standard under the Obama administration _ the 36 mile-per-gallon standard. If that happens, the Trump administration might try to take away California's power to set its own emissions standards. And that could set off a big court fight. But that's probably a year, year-and-a-half down the road."

9. Trump waves to the crowd after his speech

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution.

In a tweet, Trump said his action would result in less expensive, safer cars. He also predicted Americans would purchase more new cars, which would result in cleaner air as older models are taken off the roads.

U.S. automakers contend that without year-over-year increases in fuel efficiency that align with global market realities their vehicles could be less competitive, potentially resulting in job losses. However, most of the industry favors increases in standards that are less than the Obama-era requirements, saying their consumers are gravitating to gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks rather than buying more efficient cars.

Top California officials and environmental groups pledged legal action on Wednesday to stop the rollback, potentially tying up the issue for years in federal courts. The U.S. transportation sector is the nation's biggest single source of greenhouse gasses.

It's not clear yet what the Trump administration will propose as its final fuel-efficiency rules, but in the past it has favored freezing Obama-era mileage standards at 2021 levels. Under the Obama administration requirements, the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by 2021, rising to 36 mpg in 2025. Currently the standard is 26 mpg.

Under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency contends that freezing the fuel economy standards will reduce the average sticker price of new vehicles by about $2,700 by 2025, though that predicted savings is disputed by environmental groups and is more than double the EPA estimates from the prior administration.

Trump traveled to California for GOP fundraising events Tuesday and Wednesday near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

California's authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards goes back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. In 2007, when Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor, President George W. Bush's administration denied California's bid to place first-in-the-nation greenhouse gas limits on cars and trucks. But the state asked the EPA to reconsider its decision, and in 2009 — when Democratic President Barack Obama took office — the feds granted California's request.

California has 35 million registered vehicles, the most of any state. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia also follow California's fuel economy standards.

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

1. Cars driving past 76 gas station

2. Sign with gas prices

3. Gas nozzle going into car gas tank

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The administration started indicating that they would be interested in revoking California's waiver and freezing fuel efficiency standards at 2021 levels since they took power."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

5. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

6. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"Our initial reaction is not necessarily one of surprise but certainly one of disappointment. We knew this was coming. It has been been worked on for about three years but ultimately we are certainly opposed to revoking California's waiver and also the freezing emission standards or CAFE standards at 2021. So our hope certainly is that we're going to continue working on this and opposing it in any way we can."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

8. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

9. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The Bush administration threatened to not give California a waiver that got tied up in lawsuits and eventually that got drug out in court until the Obama administration came into power in which he reached an agreement with California. The unique thing about this situation though is that Trump is going in and actively undoing something that was already given to California. So California's waiver was approved in 2016. This is reopening what's called the midterm review and going back and saying that they're taking away the waiver."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

10. Cars driving past Valero gas station

11. Station sign with gas prices

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"California has long been a climate leader. And if we're going to stick to our greenhouse gas emission requirements, not goals but just requirements, these emission standards are vitally important."

ARCHIVE

Los Angeles - 3 April 2018

13. Various of freeway traffic

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution.

In a tweet, Trump said his action would result in less expensive, safer cars. He also predicted Americans would purchase more new cars, which would result in cleaner air as older models are taken off the roads.

U.S. automakers contend that without year-over-year increases in fuel efficiency that align with global market realities their vehicles could be less competitive, potentially resulting in job losses. However, most of the industry favors increases in standards that are less than the Obama-era requirements, saying their consumers are gravitating to gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks rather than buying more efficient cars.

Top California officials and environmental groups pledged legal action on Wednesday to stop the rollback, potentially tying up the issue for years in federal courts. The U.S. transportation sector is the nation's biggest single source of greenhouse gasses.

It's not clear yet what the Trump administration will propose as its final fuel-efficiency rules, but in the past it has favored freezing Obama-era mileage standards at 2021 levels. Under the Obama administration requirements, the fleet of new vehicles would have to average 30 mpg in real-world driving by 2021, rising to 36 mpg in 2025. Currently the standard is 26 mpg.

Under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency contends that freezing the fuel economy standards will reduce the average sticker price of new vehicles by about $2,700 by 2025, though that predicted savings is disputed by environmental groups and is more than double the EPA estimates from the prior administration.

Trump traveled to California for GOP fundraising events Tuesday and Wednesday near San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

California's authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards goes back to a waiver issued by Congress during passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. In 2007, when Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor, President George W. Bush's administration denied California's bid to place first-in-the-nation greenhouse gas limits on cars and trucks. But the state asked the EPA to reconsider its decision, and in 2009 — when Democratic President Barack Obama took office — the feds granted California's request.

California has 35 million registered vehicles, the most of any state. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia also follow California's fuel economy standards.

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

1. Cars driving past 76 gas station

2. Sign with gas prices

3. Gas nozzle going into car gas tank

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The administration started indicating that they would be interested in revoking California's waiver and freezing fuel efficiency standards at 2021 levels since they took power."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

5. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

6. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"Our initial reaction is not necessarily one of surprise but certainly one of disappointment. We knew this was coming. It has been been worked on for about three years but ultimately we are certainly opposed to revoking California's waiver and also the freezing emission standards or CAFE standards at 2021. So our hope certainly is that we're going to continue working on this and opposing it in any way we can."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

8. Vehicles driving on Interstate 880

9. View of freeway traffic from inside vehicle

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"The Bush administration threatened to not give California a waiver that got tied up in lawsuits and eventually that got drug out in court until the Obama administration came into power in which he reached an agreement with California. The unique thing about this situation though is that Trump is going in and actively undoing something that was already given to California. So California's waiver was approved in 2016. This is reopening what's called the midterm review and going back and saying that they're taking away the waiver."

Oakland, California - 18 September 2019

10. Cars driving past Valero gas station

11. Station sign with gas prices

Los Angeles - 18 September 2019

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Chavez, Coalition for Clean Air, deputy policy director:

"California has long been a climate leader. And if we're going to stick to our greenhouse gas emission requirements, not goals but just requirements, these emission standards are vitally important."

ARCHIVE

Los Angeles - 3 April 2018

13. Various of freeway traffic

The Trump administration unveils a national fuel economy standards rule that would revoke California's authority to set its own auto emission standards, authority it has had for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended," said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

"No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

Chao's comments came Thursday during a joint press conference with Envirnonmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in Washington.

"California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states," said Wheeler.

"It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

California has 35 million registered vehicles, giving it outsized influence with the auto industry.

That heft was on display in July, when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four automakers, Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen  agreed to follow California's standards, bypassing the Trump administration, which had been working on new rules.

California officials have been negotiating with other automakers to follow suit, but those talks stalled Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he was revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards.

The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year.

But The Associated Press reported last year that internal EPA emails show senior career officials privately questioned the administration's calculations, saying the proposed freeze would actually modestly increase highway fatalities, by about 17 deaths annually.

Washington DC - 19 September 2019

1. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao walking up to press conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended. No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"It should be noted that this rule only applies to fuel economy. It will not affect California's ability to refocus its efforts on fighting the worst air pollution in the country and comply with existing regulations."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"With today's one national program rule, the administration is standing up for all Americans, their needs and their right to choose. We will not let political agendas in a single state be forced upon the other 49 and we will always put safety first."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"Under the Energy Policy Conservation Act or EPCA, DOT sets CAFE standards. EPCA expressly provides that the federal government regulates fuel economy, not the states. Since there is a direct scientific link between a car's greenhouse gas emissions and its fuel economy deal, DOT is determining that EPCA permit preempts state GHG and zero emission vehicle programs. That's one basis on which EPA intends to withdraw the 2013 waiver for California's state GHG and Zev programs."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"There is a direct and tight link between one California cars and their emissions of criteria pollutants, two the local concentrations of those emissions and three the impacts they have on California due to the state's extraordinary perfect storm of features like population, traffic temperature, wind, ocean currents and topography. But for greenhouse gases the tight and direct link isn't there. California cars have no closer link to California climate impacts, than do cars on the road in Japan or anywhere else in the world."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"And California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states in the same way that it's smog impacts are. It makes sense that Congress carved out waiver authority for California to address its unique local problems. It does not make sense to use that authority to try to address national and global issues like greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

13. Cutaway of end of press conference

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus123788

The Trump administration unveils a national fuel economy standards rule that would revoke California's authority to set its own auto emission standards, authority it has had for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended," said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

"No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

Chao's comments came Thursday during a joint press conference with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in Washington.

"California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states," said Wheeler.

"It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

California has 35 million registered vehicles, giving it outsized influence with the auto industry.

That heft was on display in July, when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four automakers, Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen  agreed to follow California's standards, bypassing the Trump administration, which had been working on new rules.

California officials have been negotiating with other automakers to follow suit, but those talks stalled Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he was revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards.

The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year.

But The Associated Press reported last year that internal EPA emails show senior career officials privately questioned the administration's calculations, saying the proposed freeze would actually modestly increase highway fatalities, by about 17 deaths annually.

Washington DC - 19 September 2019

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended. No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"With today's one national program rule, the administration is standing up for all Americans, their needs and their right to choose. We will not let political agendas in a single state be forced upon the other 49 and we will always put safety first."

++SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASH++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"And California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states in the same way that it's smog impacts are. It makes sense that Congress carved out waiver authority for California to address its unique local problems. It does not make sense to use that authority to try to address national and global issues like greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

The Trump administration unveils a national fuel economy standards rule that would revoke California's authority to set its own auto emission standards, authority it has had for decades under a waiver from the federal Clean Air Act.

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended," said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

"No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

Chao's comments came Thursday during a joint press conference with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler in Washington.

"California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states," said Wheeler.

"It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

California has 35 million registered vehicles, giving it outsized influence with the auto industry.

That heft was on display in July, when Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced four automakers, Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen  agreed to follow California's standards, bypassing the Trump administration, which had been working on new rules.

California officials have been negotiating with other automakers to follow suit, but those talks stalled Wednesday when President Donald Trump announced, via Twitter, that he was revoking California's authority to set its own emission standards.

The administration argues that lower-cost vehicles would allow more people to buy new ones that are safer, cutting roadway deaths by 12,700 lives through the 2029 model year.

But The Associated Press reported last year that internal EPA emails show senior career officials privately questioned the administration's calculations, saying the proposed freeze would actually modestly increase highway fatalities, by about 17 deaths annually.

Washington DC - 19 September 2019

1. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao walking up to press conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"The one national program that we are announcing today will ensure that there is one and only one set of national fuel economy standards as Congress mandated and intended. No state has the authority to opt out of the nation's rules and no state has the right to impose its policies on everybody else in our whole country. To do otherwise, harms consumers and damages the American economy."

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"It should be noted that this rule only applies to fuel economy. It will not affect California's ability to refocus its efforts on fighting the worst air pollution in the country and comply with existing regulations."

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation:

"With today's one national program rule, the administration is standing up for all Americans, their needs and their right to choose. We will not let political agendas in a single state be forced upon the other 49 and we will always put safety first."

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"Under the Energy Policy Conservation Act or EPCA, DOT sets CAFE standards. EPCA expressly provides that the federal government regulates fuel economy, not the states. Since there is a direct scientific link between a car's greenhouse gas emissions and its fuel economy deal, DOT is determining that EPCA permit preempts state GHG and zero emission vehicle programs. That's one basis on which EPA intends to withdraw the 2013 waiver for California's state GHG and Zev programs."

9. Cutaway

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"There is a direct and tight link between one California cars and their emissions of criteria pollutants, two the local concentrations of those emissions and three the impacts they have on California due to the state's extraordinary perfect storm of features like population, traffic temperature, wind, ocean currents and topography. But for greenhouse gases the tight and direct link isn't there. California cars have no closer link to California climate impacts, than do cars on the road in Japan or anywhere else in the world."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:

"And California's climate impacts are not extraordinarily distinct from those felt in other states in the same way that it's smog impacts are. It makes sense that Congress carved out waiver authority for California to address its unique local problems. It does not make sense to use that authority to try to address national and global issues like greenhouse gas emissions. It's time to put California's waiver back in its box, the box that Congress always intended it to stand, California's unique extraordinary criteria air pollutant issues."

13. Cutaway of end of press conference

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump was set to reveal his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit, but he previewed the announcement during a round-table meeting at the American Center for Mobility with auto company executives and workers, just before the speech.

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleetwide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

As a practical matter, Trump's announcement will target the Obama administration's January decision to lock in strict gas mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, ending a review process before the Democrat left office.

Back in 2012, the Obama administration set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025 and agreed to complete a midterm evaluation by 2018. But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump said he's putting that midterm review back on track, so officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

Trump campaigned on eliminating "job killing" regulations, and the administration is expected to take additional steps in the coming days to roll back environmental regulations.

POOL

Ypsilanti - 15 March 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++

1. Wide, President Donald Trump entering hall

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I am sure you have all heard the big news that we are going to work on the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, so you can make cars in America again. We are going to help the companies and they are going to help you. There is no more beautiful sight than an American made car, no more beautiful sight. I love this state. I love the people of this state and you did me a big favor and that victory hasn't been won by a Republican in a long time. Long time. And you are going to be very happy, believe me. Very, very happy. During the campaign I came to Michigan again and again and I made this promise, that I am going to fight for your jobs and fight very very hard."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We want to be the car capital of the world again. We will be and it won't be long, believe me."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Already we are seeing jobs coming back. Since my election Ford has announced 700 new jobs coming back to their plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. Fiat Chrysler has announced that they will create 2,000 new jobs in Michigan and Ohio. And just today, breaking news, General Motors announced that they are adding, or keeping, 900 jobs right here in Michigan and that is going to be over the next twelve months and that is just the beginning, folks. In fact, I told them that's peanuts, peanuts."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Today I am announcing that we are going to cancel that executive action, we are going to restore the originally scheduled midterm review and we are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We are going to be fair, going to be fair. This is an issue of deep importance to me. For decades I have raised the alarm over unfair foreign trade practices that have robbed communities of their wealth and robbed our people of their ability to provide for their families. They've stolen our jobs, they've stolen our companies and our politicians sat back and watched. Hopeless ... not anymore"

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump was set to reveal his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit, but he previewed the announcement during a round-table meeting at the American Center for Mobility with auto company executives and workers, just before the speech.

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleetwide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

As a practical matter, Trump's announcement will target the Obama administration's January decision to lock in strict gas mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, ending a review process before the Democrat left office.

Back in 2012, the Obama administration set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025 and agreed to complete a midterm evaluation by 2018. But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump said he's putting that midterm review back on track, so officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

Trump campaigned on eliminating "job killing" regulations, and the administration is expected to take additional steps in the coming days to roll back environmental regulations.

POOL

Ypsilanti - 15 March 2017

++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK++

1. Wide, President Donald Trump entering hall

2. Mid, Trump at podium

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I am sure you have all heard the big news that we are going to work on the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, so you can make cars in America again. We are going to help the companies and they are going to help you. There is no more beautiful sight than an American made car, no more beautiful sight. I love this state. I love the people of this state and you did me a big favor and that victory hasn't been won by a Republican in a long time. Long time. And you are going to be very happy, believe me. Very, very happy. During the campaign I came to Michigan again and again and I made this promise, that I am going to fight for your jobs and fight very very hard."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We want to be the car capitol of the world again. We will be and it won't be long, believe me."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Already we are seeing jobs coming back. Since my election Ford has announced 700 new jobs coming back to their plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. Fiat Chrysler has announced that they will create 2,000 new jobs in Michigan and Ohio. And just today, breaking news, General Motors announced that they are adding, or keeping, 900 jobs right here in Michigan and that is going to be over the next twelve months and that is just the beginning, folks. In fact, I told them that's peanuts, peanuts."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"Today I am announcing that we are going to cancel that executive action, we are going to restore the originally scheduled midterm review and we are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We are going to be fair, going to be fair. This is an issue of deep importance to me. For decades I have raised the alarm over unfair foreign trade practices that have robbed communities of their wealth and robbed our people of their ability to provide for their families. They've stolen our jobs, they've stolen our companies and our politicians sat back and watched. Hopeless ... not anymore"

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I am asking all the companies here today to join us in this new industrial revolution. Let us put American workers, American families and American dreams first once again. May God bless the American worker. May God bless the motor city and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you everybody."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke about his plans to boost the nations car manufacturers in an address at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

The centre was used to produce B-24 bombers during World War II but is being converted into an automotive testing and product development centre.

Ahead of his visit, Trump confirmed plans to re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that he said are stifling economic growth.

Under Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleetwide average of 36 miles per gallon (15.3 kilometres per litre) in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's announcement, while having no immediate effect, is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

As a practical matter, Trump's announcement will target the Obama administration's January decision to lock in strict gas mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, ending a review process before the Democrat left office.

++NO SETUPS OR CUTAWAYS AVAILABLE, SOUNDBITE SEPARATED BY BLACK++

POOL

Ypsilanti - 15 March 2017

1. President Donald Trump entering hall

2. Trump at podium

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I am sure you have all heard the big news that we are going to work on the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, so you can make cars in America again. We are going to help the companies and they are going to help you. There is no more beautiful sight than an American-made car, no more beautiful sight. I love this state. I love the people of this state and you did me a big favour and that victory hasn't been won by a Republican in a long time. Long time. And you are going to be very happy, believe me. Very, very happy. During the campaign, I came to Michigan again and again and I made this promise, that I am going to fight for your jobs and fight very, very hard."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"We want to be the car capital of the world again. We will be and it won't be long, believe me."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Already we are seeing jobs coming back. Since my election, Ford has announced 700 new jobs coming back to their plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. Fiat Chrysler has announced that they will create 2,000 new jobs in Michigan and Ohio. And just today, breaking news, General Motors announced that they are adding, or keeping, 900 jobs right here in Michigan and that is going to be over the next 12 months and that is just the beginning, folks. In fact, I told them that's peanuts, peanuts."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Today I am announcing that we are going to cancel that executive action, we are going to restore the originally scheduled midterm review and we are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories. We are going to be fair, going to be fair. This is an issue of deep importance to me. For decades, I have raised the alarm over unfair foreign trade practices that have robbed communities of their wealth and robbed our people of their ability to provide for their families. They've stolen our jobs, they've stolen our companies and our politicians sat back and watched. Hopeless ... not anymore."

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I am asking all the companies here today to join us in this new industrial revolution. Let us put American workers, American families and American dreams first once again. May God bless the American worker. May God bless the Motor City and may God bless the United States of America. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you everybody."

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus133318

The Trump administration is rolling back tough Obama-era mileage standards and gutting one of the United States' biggest efforts to slow climate change.

The administration released its relaxed mileage rules Tuesday.

The Obama administration mandated 5% annual increases in fuel economy, the Trump administration's proposal slows that to  a 1.5% annual increase, backing off from its initial proposal simply to stop mandating increases in fuel efficiency after 2020.

Tailpipe exhaust is a major contributor to climate changing emissions.

The Trump administration argues relaxing mileage standards will save automakers the cost of new emissions technology and make vehicles cheaper for Americans to buy. But opponents say Americans will spend far more on fuel than they save on purchase costs.

"While these are tougher standards than the proposal, they are still more realistic and achievable than the 2012 standards, which had required an approximate five percent increase in stringency per year and which the majority of car companies were already not meeting,"  Andrew Wheeler, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Tuesday on a teleconference call making the announcement.

Opponents contend the change — gutting his predecessor's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions — appears driven by Trump's push to undo regulatory initiatives of former President Barack Obama and say even the administration has had difficulty pointing to the kind of specific, demonstrable benefits to drivers, public health and safety or the economy that normally accompany standards changes.

The standards have split the auto industry with Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen siding with California and agreeing to higher standards. Most other automakers contend the Obama-era standards were enacted hastily and will be impossible to meet because consumers have shifted dramatically away from efficient cars to SUVs and trucks.

California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump standards in court.

The acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, James Owens, told reporters that there was a statutory deadline to reveal the emissions standards.

"The public health crisis that the nation is facing is the administration's number one priority," he said. "We are at war with the virus and the administration is focused on that.  We are rolling this rule out today because we have a statutory deadline, we have to roll it out today by law. But we are certainly cognizant of that."

Juno Beach, Florida - 30 March 2020

1. Close view of hands putting fuel pump nozzle into car gas tank

Washington - 31 March 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation: ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF CHAO++

"The safe vehicles rule sets the next generation of fuel economy standards for our nation's new vehicles. These standards are reasonable, realistic and achievable and reflect the fact that times and technology have changed since the previous rule in 2012."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:  ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF WHEELER++

"The final rule will increase the stringency of CAFE CO2 emission standards by 1.5% each year through model year 2026. This is more stringent than the 2018 proposal, which would have held the standards steady at the 2020 levels set in 2012. While these are tougher standards than the proposal, they are still more realistic and achievable than the 2012 standards, which had required an approximate five percent increase in stringency per year and which the majority of car companies were already not meeting."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) James Owens, Acting Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF NHTSA LOGO, TRAFFIC++

"The public health crisis that the nation is facing is the administration's number one priority.  We are at war with the virus and the administration is focused on that. We are rolling this rule out today because we have a statutory deadline, we have to roll it out today by law. But we are certainly cognizant of that. But our rule is looking forward through the next decade and we are focused on the best available evidence before us as we do this modeling and this analysis and make these important and critical policy choices."

Baytown, Texas - 30 March 2020

5. Wide view of highway as truck passes toward gas station

6. Various of sign showing fuel prices

The Trump administration is rolling back tough Obama-era mileage standards and gutting one of the United States' biggest efforts to slow climate change.

The administration released its relaxed mileage rules Tuesday.

The Obama administration mandated 5% annual increases in fuel economy, the Trump administration's proposal slows that to  a 1.5% annual increase, backing off from its initial proposal simply to stop mandating increases in fuel efficiency after 2020.

Tailpipe exhaust is a major contributor to climate changing emissions.

The Trump administration argues relaxing mileage standards will save automakers the cost of new emissions technology and make vehicles cheaper for Americans to buy. But opponents say Americans will spend far more on fuel than they save on purchase costs.

"While these are tougher standards than the proposal, they are still more realistic and achievable than the 2012 standards, which had required an approximate five percent increase in stringency per year and which the majority of car companies were already not meeting,"  Andrew Wheeler, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Tuesday on a teleconference call making the announcement.

Opponents contend the change — gutting his predecessor's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions — appears driven by Trump's push to undo regulatory initiatives of former President Barack Obama and say even the administration has had difficulty pointing to the kind of specific, demonstrable benefits to drivers, public health and safety or the economy that normally accompany standards changes.

The standards have split the auto industry with Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen siding with California and agreeing to higher standards. Most other automakers contend the Obama-era standards were enacted hastily and will be impossible to meet because consumers have shifted dramatically away from efficient cars to SUVs and trucks.

California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump standards in court.

The acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, James Owens, told reporters that there was a statutory deadline to reveal the emissions standards.

"The public health crisis that the nation is facing is the administration's number one priority," he said. "We are at war with the virus and the administration is focused on that.  We are rolling this rule out today because we have a statutory deadline, we have to roll it out today by law. But we are certainly cognizant of that."

Juno Beach, Florida - 30 March 2020

1. Close view of hands putting fuel pump nozzle into car gas tank

Washington - 31 March 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation: ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF CHAO++

"The safe vehicles rule sets the next generation of fuel economy standards for our nation's new vehicles. These standards are reasonable, realistic and achievable and reflect the fact that times and technology have changed since the previous rule in 2012."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:  ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF WHEELER++

"The final rule will increase the stringency of CAFE CO2 emission standards by 1.5% each year through model year 2026. This is more stringent than the 2018 proposal, which would have held the standards steady at the 2020 levels set in 2012. While these are tougher standards than the proposal, they are still more realistic and achievable than the 2012 standards, which had required an approximate five percent increase in stringency per year and which the majority of car companies were already not meeting."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) James Owens, Acting Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF NHTSA LOGO, TRAFFIC++

"The public health crisis that the nation is facing is the administration's number one priority.  We are at war with the virus and the administration is focused on that. We are rolling this rule out today because we have a statutory deadline, we have to roll it out today by law. But we are certainly cognizant of that. But our rule is looking forward through the next decade and we are focused on the best available evidence before us as we do this modeling and this analysis and make these important and critical policy choices."

Baytown, Texas - 30 March 2020

5. Wide view of highway as truck passes toward gas station

6. Various of sign showing fuel prices

The Trump administration is rolling back tough Obama-era mileage standards and gutting one of the United States' biggest efforts to slow climate change.

The administration released its relaxed mileage rules Tuesday.

The Obama administration mandated 5% annual increases in fuel economy, the Trump administration's proposal slows that to  a 1.5% annual increase, backing off from its initial proposal simply to stop mandating increases in fuel efficiency after 2020.

Tailpipe exhaust is a major contributor to climate changing emissions.

The Trump administration argues relaxing mileage standards will save automakers the cost of new emissions technology and make vehicles cheaper for Americans to buy. But opponents say Americans will spend far more on fuel than they save on purchase costs.

"While these are tougher standards than the proposal, they are still more realistic and achievable than the 2012 standards, which had required an approximate five percent increase in stringency per year and which the majority of car companies were already not meeting,"  Andrew Wheeler, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Tuesday on a teleconference call making the announcement.

Opponents contend the change — gutting his predecessor's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions — appears driven by Trump's push to undo regulatory initiatives of former President Barack Obama and say even the administration has had difficulty pointing to the kind of specific, demonstrable benefits to drivers, public health and safety or the economy that normally accompany standards changes.

The standards have split the auto industry with Ford, BMW, Honda and Volkswagen siding with California and agreeing to higher standards. Most other automakers contend the Obama-era standards were enacted hastily and will be impossible to meet because consumers have shifted dramatically away from efficient cars to SUVs and trucks.

California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump standards in court.

The acting head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, James Owens, told reporters that there was a statutory deadline to reveal the emissions standards.

"The public health crisis that the nation is facing is the administration's number one priority," he said. "We are at war with the virus and the administration is focused on that.  We are rolling this rule out today because we have a statutory deadline, we have to roll it out today by law. But we are certainly cognizant of that."

Juno Beach, Florida - 30 March 2020

1. Close view of hands putting fuel pump nozzle into car gas tank

Washington - 31 March 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation: ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF CHAO++

"The safe vehicles rule sets the next generation of fuel economy standards for our nation's new vehicles. These standards are reasonable, realistic and achievable and reflect the fact that times and technology have changed since the previous rule in 2012."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator:  ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF WHEELER++

"The final rule will increase the stringency of CAFE CO2 emission standards by 1.5% each year through model year 2026. This is more stringent than the 2018 proposal, which would have held the standards steady at the 2020 levels set in 2012. While these are tougher standards than the proposal, they are still more realistic and achievable than the 2012 standards, which had required an approximate five percent increase in stringency per year and which the majority of car companies were already not meeting."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) James Owens, Acting Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): ++AUDIO ONLY, OVER GRAPHIC OF NHTSA LOGO, TRAFFIC++

"The public health crisis that the nation is facing is the administration's number one priority.  We are at war with the virus and the administration is focused on that. We are rolling this rule out today because we have a statutory deadline, we have to roll it out today by law. But we are certainly cognizant of that. But our rule is looking forward through the next decade and we are focused on the best available evidence before us as we do this modeling and this analysis and make these important and critical policy choices."

Baytown, Texas - 30 March 2020

5. Wide view of highway as truck passes toward gas station

6. Various of sign showing fuel prices

A Michigan congresswoman whose district is home to Ford's headquarters says the White House's decision to roll back Obama-era vehicle mileage standards is the "wrong thing to do and wrong direction."

"This administration should have gotten all the players at the table to reach consensus agreement," Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell said Tuesday in response to the announcement of the Trump administration's relaxed mileage rules.

The change waters down a tough Obama mileage standard that would have encouraged automakers to ramp up production of electric vehicles and more fuel-efficient gas and diesel vehicles.  

Gina McCarthy, CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the new rules will make the U.S. auto industry less competitive.

"We're in essence cutting the throats of the U.S. in terms of our continued leadership in the car sector, ceding that to China, and we're again going to be years behind them in terms of the development of new and innovative technologies," said McCarthy, who headed up the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama.

The change guts Obama's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions. Opponents say it will kill several hundred more Americans a year through dirtier air, compared to the Obama standards.

McCarthy says the "only winner in this announcement is the oil industry, because it's going to sell a whole lot more gasoline and at everybody else's expense."

Last year, 72% of the new vehicles purchased by U.S. consumers were trucks or SUVS. It was 51% when the current standards went into effect in 2012. The Trump administration says the looser mileage standards will allow consumers to keep buying the less fuel-efficient SUVs.

Soren Anderson, an economics professor at Michigan State University, says that "if you force cars to have more technology, more expensive technology than they would otherwise, the cars become more expensive. So, that's pretty certain."

He continues, "if the cars save fuel, gas consumers will save on gas money. But then, whether that nets out overall positive or negative for consumers, that is actually a question that I don't for sure know the answer to."

California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump standards in court, which Dingell says will hurt carmakers.

"This industry is more fragile now than it was with what's going on with the coronavirus. They need certainty. They don't need court cases," she said.

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

1. Various of cars driving by

Dearborn, Michigan – 31 March 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Debbie Dingell, (D) Michigan:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"It's the wrong thing to do and wrong direction. This administration should have gotten all the players at the table to reach consensus agreement."

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

3. Various of a man pumping gas

Boston – 31 March 2020

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gina McCarthy, Natural Resources Defense Council:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"The only winner in this announcement is the oil industry, because it's going to sell a whole lot more gasoline and at everybody else's expense."

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

5. Vehicles on the move in the city

East Lansing, Michigan – 31 March 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Soren Anderson, Michigan State University Professor:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"If you force cars to have more technology, more expensive technology than they would otherwise, the cars become more expensive. So, that's pretty certain. If the cars save fuel, gas consumers will save on gas money. But then, whether that nets out overall positive or negative for consumers, that is actually a question that I don't for sure know the answer to."

Detroit – 30 March 2020

7. A sign lets visitors know that a car dealership is closed due to the coronavirus outbreak

Dearborn, Michigan – 31 March 2020

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Debbie Dingell, (D) Michigan:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"This industry is more fragile now than it was with what's going on with the coronavirus. They need certainty. They don't need court cases."

Ypsilanti, Michigan – 15 March 2017

9. President Donald Trump on stage with a "Buy American – Hire American" sign behind him at an event at which he announced plans to re-examine federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks

Boston – 31 March 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Gina McCarthy, Natural Resources Defense Council:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"We're in essence cutting the throats of the U.S. in terms of our continued leadership in the car sector, ceding that to China, and we're again going to be years behind them in terms of the development of new and innovative technologies."

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

11. Motorists fill up at a gas station

A Michigan congresswoman whose district is home to Ford's headquarters says the White House's decision to roll back Obama-era vehicle mileage standards is the "wrong thing to do and wrong direction."

"This administration should have gotten all the players at the table to reach consensus agreement," Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell said Tuesday in response to the announcement of the Trump administration's relaxed mileage rules.

The change waters down a tough Obama mileage standard that would have encouraged automakers to ramp up production of electric vehicles and more fuel-efficient gas and diesel vehicles.  

Gina McCarthy, CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the new rules will make the U.S. auto industry less competitive.

"We're in essence cutting the throats of the U.S. in terms of our continued leadership in the car sector, ceding that to China, and we're again going to be years behind them in terms of the development of new and innovative technologies," said McCarthy, who headed up the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama.

The change guts Obama's legacy effort against climate-changing fossil fuel emissions. Opponents say it will kill several hundred more Americans a year through dirtier air, compared to the Obama standards.

McCarthy says the "only winner in this announcement is the oil industry, because it's going to sell a whole lot more gasoline and at everybody else's expense."

Last year, 72% of the new vehicles purchased by U.S. consumers were trucks or SUVS. It was 51% when the current standards went into effect in 2012. The Trump administration says the looser mileage standards will allow consumers to keep buying the less fuel-efficient SUVs.

Soren Anderson, an economics professor at Michigan State University, says that "if you force cars to have more technology, more expensive technology than they would otherwise, the cars become more expensive. So, that's pretty certain."

He continues, "if the cars save fuel, gas consumers will save on gas money. But then, whether that nets out overall positive or negative for consumers, that is actually a question that I don't for sure know the answer to."

California and about a dozen other states say they will continue resisting the Trump standards in court, which Dingell says will hurt carmakers.

"This industry is more fragile now than it was with what's going on with the coronavirus. They need certainty. They don't need court cases," she said.

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

1. Various of cars whizzing by on roadways

Dearborn, Michigan – 31 March 2020

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Debbie Dingell, (D) Michigan:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"It's the wrong thing to do and wrong direction. This administration should have gotten all the players at the table to reach consensus agreement."

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

3. Various of a man pumping gas

Boston – 31 March 2020

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gina McCarthy, Natural Resources Defense Council:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"The only winner in this announcement is the oil industry, because it's going to sell a whole lot more gasoline and at everybody else's expense."

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

5. Vehicles on the move in the city

East Lansing, Michigan – 31 March 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Soren Anderson, Michigan State University Professor:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"If you force cars to have more technology, more expensive technology than they would otherwise, the cars become more expensive. So, that's pretty certain. If the cars save fuel, gas consumers will save on gas money. But then, whether that nets out overall positive or negative for consumers, that is actually a question that I don't for sure know the answer to."

Detroit – 30 March 2020

7. A sign lets visitors know that a car dealership is closed due to the coronavirus outbreak

Dearborn, Michigan – 31 March 2020

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Debbie Dingell, (D) Michigan:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"This industry is more fragile now than it was with what's going on with the coronavirus. They need certainty. They don't need court cases."

Ypsilanti, Michigan – 15 March 2017

9. President Donald Trump on stage with a "Buy American – Hire American" sign behind him at an event at which he announced plans to re-examine federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks

Boston – 31 March 2020

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Gina McCarthy, Natural Resources Defense Council:

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

"We're in essence cutting the throats of the U.S. in terms of our continued leadership in the car sector, ceding that to China, and we're again going to be years behind them in terms of the development of new and innovative technologies."

San Francisco – 31 March 2020

11. Motorists fill up at a gas station

California will halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, a move he says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the nation's most populous state.

The proposed rule would not ban people from owning gas-powered cars or selling them on the used car market. But it would end the sales of all new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks in the state of nearly 40 million people.

California and the roughly dozen states that follow its lead on auto emissions standards make up a significant part of the U.S. auto market, giving the day's move huge potential impact for the U.S. automobile industry as well as for long-term efforts against pollution and climate change, which is driven by fossil-fuel emissions. It also is likely to meet opposition from President Donald Trump, who wants to roll back tougher Obama-era auto emissions standards and is battling California to force it to comply.

California already has rules mandating a certain percentage of new car sales must be electric or zero-emission vehicles. This rule, if implemented, would make California the first U.S. state with a plan to phase them out completely.  

At least 15 other countries have already made similar commitments, including Germany, France and Norway.

Newsom's order directs the California Air Resources Board to develop and approve regulations to meet the 2035 deadline. He also ordered them to make a rule requiring all medium and heavy-duty trucks be 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2045 "where feasible."  

Newsom also directed state agencies to speed up development of charging stations across the state and called on the Legislature to eliminate new fracking licenses by 2024.  

Fracking is a technique that allows energy companies to extract huge volumes of oil and gas from shale rock deep underground. It involves injecting high-pressure mixtures of water, sand or gravel and chemicals into rock. Fracking opponents say the chemicals involved threaten water supplies and public health.

California has a goal of relying 100% on clean, renewable energy by 2045. Gasoline and diesel-powered cars and trucks are the biggest impediment to reaching that goal as they account for more than half of the state's carbon pollution.

The order comes as massive wildfires have burned a record 5,600 square miles (14,500 square kilometers) in California this year. Experts say the size and intensity of the fires are aided by warmer temperatures and years of drought brought on by climate change.

POOL

Sacramento, California – 23 September 2020

++PARTIALLY MUTE AT SOURCE++

1. California Gov. Gavin Newsom walks past parked electric cars with California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"And we'll do that by setting forth a goal, a firm goal, that by 2035 in the next 15 years, we will eliminate in the state of California the sales of internal combustion engines. We will move forward to green and de-carbonize our vehicle fleet here in the state of California. As a consequence, substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as oxide nitrogen, meaning NOx emissions here in the state of California."

3. Medium view of reporter

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gov. Gavin Newsom, (D) California:

"And so I couldn't be more proud today to sign this executive order moving forward by not denying people the ability to keep their cars after 15 years. You can still keep your internal combustion engine car. You can still have a market for used cars. You can trade and transfer those cars. We're not taking anything away. We're providing an abundance of new choices and new technology, being agnostic about how we get to zero emissions, but being committed to getting to zero emissions by 2035."

5. Newsom and others walk to vehicle to sign executive order

6. Newsom signs executive order on the hood of a red electric Ford Mustang vehicle

7. Newsom walks back to podium

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board:

"We are challenging the interpretation of the law by the Trump Administration. We believe the Clean Air Act gives us the authority to set exactly the kinds of standards that we have set since the late 60s and we look forward to being able to do that in the future.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt talked about plans to ease emissions standards for cars and trucks at an announcement Tuesday morning.

Regulators say a timeline put in place by President Barack Obama was not appropriate and set standards "too high."

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy," said Pruitt.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it completed a review that will affect vehicles for model years 2022-2025 but it did not specify details on new standards, which it said would be forthcoming. Current regulations from the EPA require the fleet of new vehicles to get 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving by 2025.

That's about 10 mpg over the existing standard.

The EPA, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will work to come up with new standards.

Pruitt did not take questions nor did he address ethics questions swirling around him.

Pruitt has come under intense scrutiny for his use of a Capitol Hill condominium linked to a prominent Washington lobbyist whose firm represents fossil fuel companies.

An agency ethics official at the EPA has insisted that Pruitt's lease didn't violate federal ethics rules.

President Donald Trump called Pruitt on Monday and told him that "we've got your back" and urged him to "keep his head up" and "keep fighting," according to two administration officials.

Washington - 3 April 2018

1. EPA Administrator Scott Pruit walks into room, shakes hands

2. Wide of news conference

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"As you know, I'm here to announce that those standards that were set, that we are obligated to to evaluate, we are determining, I am determining that those standards are inappropriate and should be revised."

4. Wide of news conference

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"This will begin a process that will determine what those standards should be. It is not conclusory in that regard. But what is conclusory is that what took place before, and as we look at various issues on how we should set the standards, they need to be updated and evaluated and the standards need to be revised accordingly."

6. Wide of news conference

7. Cutaway of reporters

8. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy. And our focus should be on making cars that people purchase actually more efficient. To have arbitrary percentages of our fleet made up of vehicles that aren't going to be purchased, that defeats the very purpose of what the CAFE standards are supposed to to address. We should be focused upon making those cars more efficient because if, if not, then individuals will stay in older vehicles as Peter indicated and emissions will go up. So, we will get this right going forward this year but it is very right for us to be here to recognize that what was done in 2011 and 12, as we evaluate it now, is not appropriate going forward and we're going to get it right as we address it this year."

9. Pruit and others pose for photos