Separate EPA, NHTSA Auto Plans Reflect Looser Tie Between Agencies

The Biden administration’s separate proposals governing vehicle greenhouse gases and fuel economy from EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reflect a wider separation between the two agencies than previous rules, even if it is not a full “decoupling” as some environmentalists have advocated. During the Obama administration, officials “harmonized” EPA and NHTSA fuel economy standards, which California officials also largely adopted. The Trump administration’s rollback of vehicle standards was also jointly issued by the two agencies. But...