California already looking ahead to tougher post-2016 mpg standards?
California's lead in setting stricter mileage standards for automobiles helped President Obama's administration formulate the new 35.5 mpg requirement for 2016. Since California's voice is so strong in the debate, we can see what might possibly be coming to the whole country in the later half of the next decade by looking at what California thinks will happen after 2016. Reuters did just that, and found that the California Air Resources Board chair Mary Nichols thinks that "a much more stringent standard" will be announced for 2017 and beyond.
That everyone appears to be happy with the 2016 requirement doesn't mean the struggles between CARB and the automakers have ended. Nichols told the news service that the compromise "doesn't signal any kind of flagging interest on the part of California in being part of a transformation of the auto fleet to something much more efficient than what it is today." A new EPA waiver request will need to be applied for, Reuters believes, but at least there appears to be a new feeling of working together. For now.
[Source: Reuters; Image: Pink Sherbet Photography | CC 2.0]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
zamafir 1:02PM (5/21/2009)
and so the crazyness begins
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13enS 1:08PM (5/21/2009)
*begun
...it never ended!
PJ 1:09PM (5/21/2009)
Well, not really... the CARB chair simply said that she thinks the standards will get tougher after 2016 (kind of a given) and that, in the short term, CARB is/will be looking at what those standards might be. On the surface, anyway, there's no mention of introducing standards tougher than the Fed's.
zamafir 1:10PM (5/21/2009)
Well, I supported some of the things California was pushing for (selfishly, I want my 70mpg polo damnit) and thought the national standards were too lax, so when Obama announced his uber high standards I figured it would be enough.
C.W. 1:21PM (5/21/2009)
shouldnt they have broken off into the Pacific Ocean by now?
Mehdi Cheddadi 1:24PM (5/21/2009)
Geology, go redo it
geo.stewart 1:43PM (5/21/2009)
I'm SO heartened to see a bankrupt state leading the direction of our splendiferous country. It bodes well, dont you think?
Colin Smith 2:28PM (5/21/2009)
Is there an L in spendiferous?
zamafir 2:35PM (5/21/2009)
lol @ Colin Smith
john 2:36PM (5/21/2009)
These political loonies in Cali are ruining their competitive society. They are on a verge of bankruptcy and still meddling ways to drive away companies. Sure, every1 would like to save mother earth and all, but they need to stay competitive with other states and for that matters other countries. The only jobs you can find in Cali nowaday is in hollywood, ok that's a bad joke. Companies will just rush to china or brazil or wateva because a bankrupted State is a big risk for business.
Jared 3:23PM (5/21/2009)
There's nothing wrong with the CARB that can't be fixed with a tall tree and a stout rope.
quagmire 1:03PM (5/21/2009)
This is getting ridiculous, as much as I am a supporter of tougher emissions, fuel economy, etc regulation; CA can't just keep on saying they will be tougher then the federal regulations especially after they hit a compromise.
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John 1:16PM (5/21/2009)
It's proof of what happens when a special interest group takes over a government. California is completely in the pocket of the environmental lobby.
waiownsyou 1:58PM (5/21/2009)
Whoever decided to allow lobbyists for ANY interest group fails at life.
MRX19 1:06PM (5/21/2009)
Let's hope for major earthquake and these frigging loons slide off into the ocean where they belong. The California Air Resourcws Board won't be happy until the entire county is back to horse drawn waggons.
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Sea Urchin 1:13PM (5/21/2009)
No one is forcing carmakers to sell in CA, don't like their rules, don't sell.
David 1:32PM (5/21/2009)
For once I agree with Sea Urchin. I think it would be hilarious if a significant number of automakers just said "Well, forget it, we're not selling any cars in California."
Californians are already used to paying sky-high prices for the privilege of living in such a great place, so they will be more than happy to pay higher prices for the few cars that are acceptable in their Utopia.
sparrk 2:17PM (5/21/2009)
Sea Urchin is right , it's not like polluting cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini sell in California anyway.
Shipey 2:45PM (5/21/2009)
No. Too many methane emissions from horses...
That, and they'd just complain about animal cruelty instead.
"But, I'm California! EVERYONE should be like ME!"
Tourian 12:23PM (5/22/2009)
@Sea Urchin,
No car maker can afford NOT to sell cars in Claifornia.