U.S. LEGISLATION

In the United States, emissions standards are managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The state of California has special dispensation to promulgate even more stringent vehicle emissions standards. California's emissions standards are set by the California Air Resources Board, known locally by its acronym "CARB". Given that California's automotive market is one of the largest in the world, CARB wields enormous influence over the emissions requirements that major automakers must meet if they wish to sell into that market.

In addition, several other U.S. states also chose to follow the CARB standards, so their rulemaking has broader implications within the U.S. CARB lists 16 other states adopting CARB rules as of mid-2009. CARB's policies have also influenced EU emissions standards. Federal (National) "Tier 1" regulations went into effect starting in 1994, and "Tier 2" standards were phased in from 2004 to 2009, “Tier 3” standards were never adopted, and “Tier 4” standards are being phased in from 2008 to 2015. “Tier 4” Standards require that emissions of PM and NOx be further reduced by about 90%.

Such emission reductions can be achieved through the use of control technologies—including advanced exhaust gas after-treatment—similar to those required by the 2007-2010 standards for highway engines. On May 19, 2009 news reports indicated that the Federal EPA had largely adopted California's standards on greenhouse gas emissions. California and several other states have passed bills requiring performance-based regulation of greenhouse gases from electricity generation. The states must also promulgate miscellaneous emissions regulations in order to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.


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“It is vital to stop the destruction and reduce carbon emissions”
-Carlos Spink, Environment Minister, Brazil

“For decades we have been known that the days of cheap and easily accessible oil were numbered, we talked and talked about the need to end our addiction to fossil fuels”
-President Barack Obama, United States of America