Recent Federal Actions
This list includes recent federal actions, such as Federal Register notices and rulemaking actions, agency directives or agency communications, that are all publicly available. These actions relate to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction and fuel economy measures. When rulemakings are finalized, they will move to the Federal Laws and Incentives Web site.
President Obama Signs Executive Order to Set Sustainability Goals for Federal Agencies
October 05, 2009
President Obama has issued an Executive Order that requires each agency to establish a Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, focusing on improvements in environmental, energy, and economic performance. Each agency will be required to measure, reduce, and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and establish an agency-wide GHG emissions reduction target for 2020 as compared to 2008 baseline emissions. Reductions will be achieved through a variety of measures including reduced petroleum consumption, use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), and fleet optimization efforts. Federal fleets of 20 vehicles or more will be required to reduce petroleum consumption by a minimum of 2% per year through the end of fiscal year 2020 as compared to 2005 baseline usage. Within 180 days, the U.S. Department of Energy, in coordination with the General Services Administration (GSA), will issue guidance on federal fleet management, addressing the acquisition of AFVs, use of alternative fuels, fuel economy improvements, fleet optimization, renewable fueling infrastructure, and other petroleum reduction strategies. For more information, see the White House press release and the Executive Order (PDF 87 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
U.S. EPA Releases Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rules
September 22, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Rule which will require mandatory reporting of GHG emissions from large sources in the U.S. Beginning on January 1, 2010, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial GHGs, and facilities that emit at least 25,000 metric tons of GHGs per year will be required to submit annual reports to EPA. Vehicle and engine manufacturers outside the light-duty sector will be required to report carbon dioxide emissions levels beginning with Model Year 2011 and other GHG emissions in subsequent model years. This includes heavy trucks, motorcycles, and non-road engines and equipment; requirements related to light-duty vehicles are not included in this rulemaking. The new reporting system covers approximately 85% of the nation's GHG emissions and will provide comprehensive data for analysis to help inform future policy decisions. For more information, see EPA's Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Web site.
U.S. EPA and U.S. DOT Issue Proposed Rule to Establish Federal Vehicle Standards
September 15, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued a joint proposal to establish a national program consisting of new federal vehicle standards for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improved fuel economy. The standards would apply to Model Year 2012 through 2016 passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, and are expected to increase average fuel economy by approximately 5% per year. The proposed standards would create the first federal limits on vehicle GHG emissions. For more information, see EPA's Transportation and Climate Regulations and Standards Web site, NHTSA's Laws/Regulations/Guidance Web site, and the proposed rule published in the Federal Register (PDF 4.2 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
U.S. EPA Grants California Vehicle Emissions Waiver Request
June 30, 2009
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted California a vehicle emissions waiver, which will allow the state to set standards to help control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles beginning with the 2009 model year. California first requested a waiver in December 2005, which was denied by EPA in March 2008. In early 2009, the California Air Resources Board submitted a letter requesting that EPA reconsider the waiver denial. Soon after, President Obama directed EPA to revisit the waiver request via a Presidential Memorandum. EPA re-opened a written comment period and held a public hearing to do so. Based on the review of statutory language, legislative history, comments received, and technological considerations concerning lead time and implementation costs, EPA determined that a waiver should be granted. This decision is consistent with EPA's traditional interpretation of the Clean Air Act, which gives EPA the authority to allow California to adopt its own emission standards for new vehicles due to the severity of the state's air pollution challenges. Once new federal vehicle standards for fuel efficiency and GHGs take effect, California has committed to allow automakers that show compliance with the national standards to also be deemed in compliance with state requirements. For more information regarding this decision, refer to the EPA press release and EPA's California GHG Waiver Request Web site.
U.S. DOT to Implement Car Allowance Rebate System
June 24, 2009
President Obama has enacted the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009, which establishes an incentive program to encourage consumers to trade in older, less fuel efficient cars and trucks for newer, more fuel efficient vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will implement the voluntary Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program. Consumers may receive $3,500 or $4,500 toward the purchase or lease of a new vehicle at a participating dealership. The incentive amount depends on the type of vehicle purchased and the improvement in fuel economy of the purchase vehicle as compared to the trade-in vehicle. In general, trade-in vehicles must have a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 18 miles per gallon (mpg) or less and must be in drivable condition, less than 25 years old, and registered and insured for the full year prior to trade-in. For passenger vehicles, the purchase vehicle must be at least 4 mpg more fuel efficient than the trade-in vehicle. For vans, sport utility vehicles, and pickups, the purchase vehicle must be at least 2 mpg more fuel efficient. NHTSA will publish rules for the program within 30 days of enactment and the program will end November 1, 2009, or when DOT exhausts the funds set aside for the program, whichever comes first.
