美國環境保護署（EPA）於6月30日扭轉了布希時代的一項決定，同意加州減排的要求，准許該州從今年出廠的機動車輛開始，執行其稱爲「清潔汽車標準」的溫室氣體排放標準。
此擧無疑讓加州和13個其他州，要求減少汽車溫室氣體碳排放的路途通暢無阻。「清潔空氣法案」賦予加州特別的權力，執行比聯邦政府更嚴格的機動車輛空氣污染標準。不過前提須事先徵得環保署同意，放棄聯邦所設立的標準。如此一來，加州自訂的規則才有法律效力。
自歐巴馬總統於1月上任後不久，即指示環保署評估當初否決提案的適當性。環保署於2009年1月21日收到一封加州的來信。信中提出若干訴求要求署長潔克森（Lisa Jackson）重新審核否決提案的原因。
清潔空氣法案賦予環保署足夠的權力，准許加州為因應其嚴峻的空氣污染問題，針對新的機動車輛採用自訂的廢氣排放標準。一旦環保署承認加州的提案請求，其他各州也可以自行仿效。
歐巴馬總統于5月19日宣布一項協議，所有2012到2016年出廠的車輛，採用適用於全國清潔汽車計劃的聯邦排放標準。
根據這項協議，各州的清潔汽車標準將適用於2009-2011年間生產的車型，直到聯邦的標準開跑。
從2012年出廠的車輛開始，只要符合新的國家標準即被視為等同符合各州標準。
一份由非盈利組織，環境保衛基金會於6月30日公佈的報告，「顯示在13個採用加州的清潔汽車標準各州的駕駛人，除了每年可省下數百美元的加油費外，還可同時減少吸熱的溫室氣體。這13個州包括：亞利桑那州，康乃狄克州，緬因州，馬里蘭州，麻州，紐澤西州，新墨西哥州，紐約州，奧勒崗州，賓州，羅得島州，佛蒙特州和華盛頓州。」
環保署和國家公路交通安全管理局已開始著手，聯合研擬一套協調和統一實施清潔空氣法案、能源政策和保護法等方法的法令。預計立法行動不久將開始，並延續到2010年3月30號結束。制定的法令將適用于2012至2016年間生產的車型。
Reversing a Bush-era decision, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today granted California's waiver request enabling the state to enforce its greenhouse gas emissions standards for new motor vehicles, called Clean Car Standards, beginning with the current model year.
The EPA's granting of the waiver request immediately clears the way for California and 13 additional states to require reductions in tailpipe emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The Clean Air Act gives California special authority to enact stricter air pollution standards for motor vehicles than the federal government's, but EPA must approve a waiver of federal standards before California's rules can take effect.
Shortly after taking office in January, President Barack Obama directed EPA to assess the appropriateness of denying the waiver. EPA received a letter from California on January 21, 2009, raising several issues for Administrator Lisa Jackson to review regarding the denial.
The Clean Air Act gives EPA the authority to allow California to adopt its own emission standards for new motor vehicles due to the seriousness of the state's air pollution challenges. Once EPA grants California's waiver requests, other states are free to follow suit.
On May 19, President Obama announced an agreement to adopt federal emission standards for model years 2012 through 2016 that apply the state clean car program nationwide.
Under the agreement, the state clean car standards will apply from model years 2009-2011, until the federal standards are carried out.
Beginning in model year 2012, compliance with the new national standards would be deemed to reflect compliance with the state standards.
A new report by the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund released today, " shows that motor vehicle drivers in the 13 states that have adopted California's Clean Car standards would save hundreds of dollars annually at the gas pump while reducing heat-trapping greenhouse gases. The 13 states are: Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have begun efforts to issue a joint rulemaking that is intended to reflect a coordinated and harmonized approach to implementing the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The rulemaking is expected to begin shortly and be concluded by March 30, 2010 and will apply to vehicles from Model Years 2012-2016.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
