Trump fuel economy move sets up fight with Calif., N.Y.

DETROIT — President Donald Trump’s decision to re-examine Obama-era rules that govern automobile gas mileage could be the first round of a potentially bruising political fight: revoking the ability of California and other Democratic-leaning states to set their own, tougher caremission standards.

Environmental groups are preparing for the clash, which began even before Trump acted and is likely to be settled by the courts.

California’s unique status dates to 1970, in the early days of the Clean Air Act. Because of the state’s smoggy skies, Congress gave California a “waiver,” allowing it to set stricter pollution standards than the rest of the nation. The California standard is now used by at least a dozen, mostly Northeastern states, including New York and Massachusetts.

The Trump administration has said it wants one uniform fuel mileage re- quirement for automakers across the U.S. Environmental groups and California officials fear that the administration will try to revoke the waiver, and they’re taking action to fight it in court.

California Gov. Jerry Brown denounced the Trump administration’s move, telling Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt in a letter Wednesday it was a “gift to polluters.” Brown warned auto makers in another letter Wednesday that his state would take the “necessary steps” to preserve its current emissions standards.

Buttressing Brown’s threats, California filed a motion late Tuesday to intervene in a new lawsuit brought by auto manufacturers against the EPA, a move immediately joined by New York State. The actions will allow the two states to defend the tougher emissions standards in court.

“President Trump’s action represents a dramatic wrong turn in our nation’s efforts to fight air pollution from passenger cars and trucks and protect the health of our children, seniors and all communities,” said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Trump took the first step toward a legal showdown on Wednesday in Michigan when he announced that the government will re-examine fuel economy requirements for 2022-2025. The rules were affirmed in the waning days of the Obama administration as part of a broader effort to control greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Although the Trump administration says it hasn’t decided whether to weaken the requirements, Trump has promised the CEOs of major car companies that he’ll reduce “unnecessary regulations.” His EPA chief, Pruitt, has said he doesn’t believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming, putting him at odds with Obama’s EPA and mainstream climate science.