WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama has announced his national policy for new U.S. vehicle emission standards. California, 13 other states and Washington, D.C., have moved for stricter standards but this is the first federal standard on greenhouse gas emissions. The Bush administration had rejected California’s request for a waiver to implement its own limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
           
Obama’s new policy is aimed at increasing fuel economy and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions for all new vehicles that are sold in the United States. Passenger vehicles and small trucks manufactured in the years 2012-2016 will be required to have the average fuel economy standard of 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg) in 2016. Obama’s national fuel efficiency plan does not include a super warranty provision, which has threatened the independent automotive repair industry in California and other states as part of their Clean Car vehicle programs.
           
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has supported state Clean Car programs with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-efficient manner, but opposes moving toward California’s super warranty provisions. Clean car programs that make sense and are cost effective should be considered by regulators instead of programs that harm small businesses and have a long-term negative impact on consumers. ASA encourages states with super warranty provisions in place to reconsider the value of these programs in light of the president’s recent greenhouse gas emissions initiative. ASA is concerned with stopping super warranty initiatives.