"The federal government plans to delay until mid-November new rules to implement a set of fuel efficiency standards for cars and light-duty trucks, administration officials said Tuesday."
"In late July, President Obama announced a deal that called for cars and light trucks to achieve a fleet-wide average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, nearly double the 2011 model year average of 27.8 mpg. The new standard would be phased in beginning in 2017.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department were to issue the rules this week. But the administration and other participants in negotiations over the rules said their issuance would be delayed six weeks because of the volume of comments received and the technical work that remained.
In a statement, the EPA and the Transportation Department said: "We have worked closely with all key stakeholders including the car companies, the state of California and others as we move toward releasing the proposed rule. Given the historic nature of this joint rule between EPA and DOT, as well as the necessary coordination with California, it was recently determined that additional time was needed and we expect to issue" proposed rules by mid-November."
Neela Banerjee reports for the Los Angeles Times September 28, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"EPA Delays Auto Emissions, Mileage Rule Rollout" (E2 Wire)
"Obama Administration Delays Fuel Efficiency Standards Announcement" (Business Green)
"Perry Urges Obama To Halt Air Rules" (AP)
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