GM Hit with $146 Million Penalty for Emissions Violations
General Motors (GM) has been slapped with a hefty penalty of nearly $146 million by the federal government due to emissions and fuel economy standards violations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced in a statement that certain GM vehicles from 2012 to 2018 did not comply with federal fuel economy requirements. This news comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted tests revealing that GM pickup trucks and SUVs emit 10% more carbon dioxide than initially claimed by the automaker.
According to the EPA, the affected vehicles will remain on the road as they cannot be repaired. GM, in response, released a statement asserting that it had complied with all regulations pertaining to pollution and mileage certification of its vehicles. The company also clarified that it is not admitting to any wrongdoing or non-compliance with the Clean Air Act.
This enforcement action affects approximately 4.6 million full-size pickups and SUVs, as well as 1.3 million midsize SUVs, including popular models like the Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, and Chevy Silverado. A total of around 40 variations of GM vehicles are covered by the penalty. As a consequence of the violations, GM will be required to relinquish credits used to ensure its greenhouse gas emissions remain below the fleet standard for each model year.
While an EPA spokesperson attributed the violations to unintentional errors, experts have expressed skepticism. David Cooke, a senior vehicle analyst for the Union of Concerned Scientists, questioned how a widespread issue affecting many different vehicles could be overlooked by GM. Cooke emphasized that a more than 10% discrepancy is not a mere rounding error and should have been detected during testing.
Furthermore, Cooke raised concerns about the lack of corrective action mandated by the government. He expressed surprise that GM is not being compelled to address the excess pollution or revise gas mileage estimates on the affected vehicles’ window stickers. Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign for the environmental group Center for Biological Diversity, seized upon the opportunity to emphasize the need for robust pollution rules, stating that these violations by GM highlight why automakers cannot be trusted to safeguard air quality and public health.
The recent rejection of the Chevron legal doctrine by the Supreme Court also holds significance in this context. The doctrine, which has been a foundation for upholding numerous federal regulations, including environmental standards, has faced criticism from conservatives and business groups. This decision effectively curtails the power of executive branch agencies like the EPA and shifts it to the courts, potentially impacting future enforcement actions.
In previous cases involving pollution violations, automakers faced fines under the Clean Air Act, with the Justice Department typically becoming involved. However, it remains to be seen if GM will face any action from the Justice Department in relation to this incident.
This penalty serves as a stark reminder that compliance with emissions and fuel economy standards is both crucial and closely monitored. Automakers must remain vigilant in their adherence to regulations to protect the environment and public health while avoiding significant financial penalties and reputational damage.
