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Vermont Officials Praise EPA California Emissions Ruling MONTPELIER, VT (WAMC) - Vermont officials are praising federal environmental officials for allowing California to impose tougher emissions standards on cars and trucks. Vermont had been sued by the auto industry when it adopted those California standards. WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley has more.

Saying it was returning to the traditional interpretation of the Clean Air Act, the federal Environmental Protection Agency will allow California to impose regulations on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles that are more stringent than federal regulations. Vermont was the first state that adopted the California standard. Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell says the decision by the Obama EPA was expected.

The auto industry had sued the state of Vermont in an effort to block implementation of the standards, but lost that court battle. Attorney General Sorrell says the EPA has now reinforced that court decision.

In May, President Barack Obama announced a national clean-car emissions standard similar to California's. The EPA decision sets the stage for implementation of the national program. Vermont Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Paul Burns says the EPA decision gives a continued green light' to states that led the way, including Vermont.

The California standard requires fuel efficiency to increase by 40 percent by 2016 to an average of 35.5 miles per gallon.

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