EPA Begins Reconsideration of California Waiver

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson officially reopened the comment period [PDF] on California's waiver request to set fuel efficiency standards higher than current federal regulations. The EPA will take public comments for 60 days through April 6, and has scheduled a public hearing in Washington on March 5 to discuss the request. The Bush administration had denied the request, but on January 26 President Obama asked Jackson to reconsider it in light of the EPA's obligation to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Sixteen states intend to follow California's model if the waiver is approved. Read more at EPA website