23 Governors Urge Single Set of U.S. Emission Laws

Governors from 23 U.S. states have issued a joint statement urging the Trump administration to compromise with California on a single set of emission and fuel economy rules for the entire country.

The group includes the governors of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—states that were critical in delivering President Donald Trump’s victory in 2016.

The White House is close to approving a regulatory plan that would scrap current rules that are set to significantly tighten carbon-dioxide limits and raise fuel economy targets in 2021-2026. Instead, both sets of rules would be frozen at 2020 levels during the period.

California and a dozen other states that follow its lead have vowed to enforce the original standards regardless of the federal action. The Trump plan would strip California of its Congressionally granted right to set its own emission standards, a move widely expected to trigger a lengthy legal battle.

To avoid dual standards and a disruptive legal debate, the governors urge a “common-sense” approach that would continue to impose tougher CO₂ and fuel economy rules, albeit at a more gradual pace.

Last month, 17 carmakers also pleaded with the Trump administration to find a compromise. The White House suspended talks between federal and California regulators to do just that in February, declaring the discussions were at an impasse.