by Jim Tankersley
The Environmental Protection Agency announced this morning that it has reopened consideration of a request by California and more than a dozen other states to set strict standards for greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles - hinting strongly that it's just a matter of time before they're approved.
Following a directive issued by President Obama late last month, the EPA said it will begin accepting public comments for 60 days on the request, which proponents call a major step toward curbing global warming. Critics say allowing the states to set tougher rules than the federal government would batter the domestic auto industry, by forcing carmakers to produce two sets of vehicles or to restrict production of big-selling - but heavy emitting - trucks and SUVs.
"EPA has now set in motion an impartial review of the California waiver decision," EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a press release. "It is imperative that we get this decision right, and base it on the best available science and a thorough understanding of the law."
But the next two paragraphs of the release strongly suggest the agency will approve California's request.
"The Clean Air Act gives EPA the authority to allow California to adopt its own emission standards for motor vehicles due to the seriousness of the state's air pollution challenges," it reads. "There is a long-standing history of EPA granting waivers to the state of California.
"EPA believes that there are significant issues regarding the agency's denial of the waiver. The denial was a substantial departure from EPA's longstanding interpretation of the Clean Air Act's waiver provisions."
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