California's top climate change official on Wednesday predicted President Barack Obama's administration would let the state impose its own tough limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars by May, in what would be a key win for environmentalists.
California asked the EPA's new chief to revisit the Bush administration's 2007 decision that denied the state's request to impose its own regulations.
If the EPA reverses Bush administration policy and grants a waiver for California, more than 12 states could proceed with plans to impose stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions from cars. California wants to reduce the emissions by 30 percent by 2016 - the most ambitious federal or state effort to address global warming.
Environmentalists have said granting California's request would signal Obama's commitment to tackling climate change.
California wants to require car makers to use paints that reflect more heat, tires that roll smoother, and improved air conditioning to boost efficiency beyond the fuel mileage requirements already facing auto makers.
"We think we should have our decision in hand by late May," California's top air quality regulator, state Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, said in an interview. Nichols sent a letter to designated EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson on Wednesday requesting the review.
EPA officials were not immediately available for comment.
'Allies in our efforts'
President George Bush's administration denied the request by California, which has the right to set clean air standards alongside the federal government, but needs federal clearance to do so.
Jackson has said she would follow science in deciding policy, and that she would revisit the so-called California waiver. She comes from New Jersey, which is one of more than a dozen states that will follow California's lead if the EPA grants the waiver.
"We've been allies in our efforts," Nichols said of Jackson. It would take the federal government until May to clear several procedural hurdles, and then California could proceed, she predicted.
"If the California waiver is granted, states that represent over half the population of the United States and an even larger part of the market for new cars will be committing themselves to require the auto manufacturers to produce and sell vehicles that are 30% cleaner," she added.
Bush's administration often elicited criticism from environmentalists, who said it favored industry and politics over environmental science. His EPA administrator came under fire after he denied California's request. California and other states sued over the decision.
In a letter to Obama, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pressed for EPA to reconsider.
"I ask that you direct the US EPA to act promptly and favorably on California's reconsideration request so that we may continue the critical work of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on global climate change," Schwarzenegger wrote.
Automakers have said the changes could add substantially to sticker prices. Nichols said it would add a little over $100 (NZD$190) to the price of each car, and the improvements would pay off within a year through improved efficiency.
