The Environmental Protection Agency has granted California’s waiver request that will allow the state to enforce strict greenhouse gas emissions standards on cars beginning with the present model year. California first applied for the waiver in 2005, but was denied several years later. Now, the EPA grants the waiver based on the need for California to improve its air pollution conditions.

It was clear from early on in President Obama’s tenure that he was much more friendly than his predecessor toward the idea of stricter fuel emissions standards. In January, Obama instructed the EPA to look into the waiver again, in spite of its denial only a month earlier. And in May, the President announced a national policy that will improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions beginning with 2012 car models. California will then allow the national policy to supersede its own.

EPA administrator Lisa Jackson said in a statement that “This decision puts the law and science first. After review of the scientific findings, and another comprehensive round of public engagement, I have decided this is the appropriate course under the law.” I can’t help but think this is a subtle dig at the previous incarnation of the EPA, where science didn’t exactly come to the fore all that often. This is a welcome step toward improving automobile emissions, which is an absolutely necessary step toward widespread carbon dioxide reductions.

Reprinted with permission from Red Green and Blue