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The California Air Resources Board renewed its request to meet with federal regulators to discuss the Trump Administration’s plan to loosen vehicle emission standards. That controversial change also includes rescinding California’s authority to set tighter greenhouse gas controls.

Weakening vehicle emission rules would “result in significant harm to public health and the environment, as well as years of litigation and uncertainty for regulated industry and the public,” said CARB Executive Director Steven Cliff. He made the warning in a June 5 letter to Office of Management & Budget Administrator of Information & Regulatory Affairs Neomi Rao.

Her agency is reviewing the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration’s proposed rule change on vehicle emission standards, which was submitted at the end of May.

“Our programs are critically important to ensure we meet state mandated climate targets by 2030 and National Ambient Air Quality Standards under U.S. EPA,” Cliff added.

He pointed, as an example, to California’s greenhouse gas lite regulations for light-duty trucks. They “were the basis for the first federal rules, and we have successfully operated a coordinated national program controlling those emissions for over five years that is protecting the public health and environment while positioning the auto industry for continued innovation.”

Earlier, the Trump Administration's proposal to relax upcoming vehicle emission standards and knock out the state’s tighter automotive emission standards for the 2022-2025 model years was met with legal challenges. That includes California leading a group of 16 other states in a May 1 lawsuit.

Automakers called on the Trump Administration to back off on its threat, largely because of the broad adoption of California’s stricter emission rules in other states and even nations, such as China.

Last month, the Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers told Congress that a wholesale freeze of auto mileage standards will not help the industry build more cars. * * * * *

Hydropower was applauded by members from both parties for being greenhouse gas free and able to provide various services, from baseload power to ancillary services, during a June 7 House Energy & Commerce Energy Subcommittee hearing.

But, Republican lawmakers' specific efforts to speed up the licensing and relicensing of non-federal hydropower facilities to expand the amount of hydropower raised concerns about water quality, fish, aquatic habitat and tribal cultural resource impacts.

“Any potential changes to the process must include a balanced approach that protects federal agencies, states and native tribes,” and be in accordance with “modern environmental law,” said Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL). He noted the long licensing term, 30 to 50 years.

Rep Frank Pallone (D-NJ) also warned about complexities and contentiousness generated by the long permit time line.

“Just think of the dramatic changes that are possible in weather patterns, population, economic development, and competition for water resources,” Pallone said.

Proposed House legislation that would include making the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the lead agency on licensing, raised worries about infringement on the expertise and mandate of other federal agencies and state bodies required to be consulted in hydropower licensing decisions.

“I remain very leery of supporting making FERC the lead agency on licensing,” Rush said. He insisted agencies which hold special expertise that FERC lacks should not have to pay deference to federal energy regulators.

FERC regulates more than 1,600 non-federal hydropower projects at over 2,500 dams, representing about 56 GW all the hydropower capacity in the United States.

According to Committee Chair Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), federal energy regulators said there were 21 serious licensing delays, up to 10 years long, caused by the National Marine Fisheries Service or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Consultation with those agencies is required under the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act's section 401 water quality certification.

“What is going on here?” Upton asked.

Representatives from the agencies said the problem was largely caused by incomplete licensing applications. – Elizabeth McCarthy “ ”

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