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EPA To Revoke California's Ability To Regulate Fuel Economy; Gov. Newsom Calls It 'Political Vendetta'

SACRAMENTO (CBS13/AP) - The Trump administration is poised to revoke California's authority to set auto mileage standards, asserting that only the federal government can regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy.

Conservative and free-market groups have been invited to attend an announcement of the rollback Wednesday afternoon at the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington.

The move comes after the Justice Department opened an antitrust investigation into a deal between California and four automakers for tougher pollution and mileage requirements than those sought by President Donald Trump. Trump also has sought to relax Obama-era mileage standards nationwide, weakening a key effort to slow climate change.

In response to the reported rollback, California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement that called the move a "political vendetta."

"It's a move that could have devastating consequences for our kids' health and the air we breathe, if California were to roll over. But we will not," Gov. Newsom wrote.

Xavier Becerra, California's attorney general, echoed Gov. Newsom's comments.

"You have no basis and no authority to pull this waiver," Becerra said in a statement. "We're ready to fight for a future that you seem unable to comprehend; we'll see you in court if you stand in our way."

The White House declined to comment Tuesday, referring questions to the EPA. The EPA didn't respond to requests seeking comment.

Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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