MEMA Issues Statement Regarding EPA Final Determination Reset

On March 15, the Trump administration announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reconsider its “Final Determination on the Appropriateness of the Model Years 2022-2025 Light-duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards under the Midterm Evaluation.” Issued by the Obama administration in early January, the determination concluded the GHG emissions standards established under the 2012 final rule for those model years are achievable without change. The reconsideration of that determination allows for additional consultation and review.

In December, MEMA expressed concern that the EPA’s rushed process failed to provide sufficient time for the Midterm Evaluation, which was built into the standards’ final rules set back in 2012. Moreover, EPA’s final determination was issued separately from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Proposed Rulemaking on its Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for MYs 2022-2025. The agencies had previously agreed to conduct the Midterm Evaluation together as part of retaining the National Program.

MEMA believes a harmonized National Program is crucial to ensure long-term compliance planning and corresponding technology investments.

Motor vehicle suppliers stand ready to fully participate in helping motor vehicle manufacturers meet the targets of the standards. Suppliers play a key role in the innovation, development and manufacturing of a wide variety of technologies that improve vehicle fuel economy and reduce GHG emissions. These technologies will be critical to help automakers meet the MYs 2022-2025 standards. MEMA remains committed to advocating for important program flexibilities, such as off-cycle technology credits.

MEMA looks forward to working on this issue with the Trump administration and the new Congress.