EPA going soft on automakers?

Environmental groups will no doubt be disappointed to hear that the new clean air regulations imposed upon automakers by the Environmental Protection Agency will cost companies less than $1 per vehicle. The new regulations mostly address pollutants that come from exhaust tail pipes, predominantly on a cold startup.

Most of the new regulations hit gasoline itself, including a requirement that petroleum refiners spend about $500 million to reduce benzene (a carcinogen) in fuel.  

Automakers haven't responded yet, but environmental groups already have. Groups like Clean Air Watch are criticizing the EPA for doing little to lessen pollutants in diesel exhaust.

[Source: AutoWeek]