Does the new energy legislation and the EPA’s decision to deny California a waiver under the Clean Air Act have any effect on the federal government’s plans to adopt federal controls on vehicular emissions of greenhouse gases? Perhaps. A key provision in the new energy bill requires an increase in automotive fuel economy over the coming decades. One effect of these standards will be a reduction in automotive emissions of carbon dioxide. Given the effect of this provision, it might provide the Administration with a convenient excuse not to proceed with federal GHG emission regulations in response to Massachusetts v. EPA.
Is this just speculation? Maybe not. The tail end of this Washington Post story on the denial of California