UCSB Bren ESM 297 – Motor Vehicle Public Policy and the Environment
Spring 2013
Instructor: David Raney
Introduction: Personal mobility and movement of freight and finished goods is dependent on access to
efficient, safe, dependable, and low-polluting vehicles as well as support infrastructure for refueling and
free movement in both rural and urban areas. Since the early 1900’s when the internal combustion
fueled by refined petroleum grew to be the primary means of propulsion for vehicles, society has been
challenged with regulating the impacts of motor vehicles. These impacts are significant in terms of
public health, environmental air quality, resource consumption, and urban congestion. Motor vehicles
are perhaps the most regulated consumer products in existence today, yet they still pose major
challenges to the well-being of human populations globally. This course:
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evaluates the history and goals of motor vehicle and air quality regulations with a focus on
North America and clarifies progress made to date on mitigating impacts of motor vehicle use;
includes in-depth exploration of the complex regulatory process and interplay between
administrative, legislative, and regulatory/enforcement branches of government
explores the integral relationship between federal, state and local government relative to
compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act and the relationship with motor vehicle regulation
explores how specific regulations come to be proposed and finalized by the U.S. EPA, California
Air Resources Board, and U.S. DOT/NHTSA and the interaction of these agencies,
provides class role playing in some current regulatory activity (for example, recent fuel
economy standards set for 2017-2025, the California electric vehicle mandate, and EPA’s recent
low emissions and low sulfur fuel regulatory proposal); and,
informs students on the roles of industry and technology and the public in this overall process.
Each class consists of a combination of lecture and student active participation and discussion, including
scenario analysis and role playing with individual assignments such as government, individual motor
vehicle manufacturers, trade associations, state or federal regulatory agencies, environmental advocacy
groups, and the oil industry. At the completion of the course, students will 1) understand the
terminology of motor vehicle public policy; 2) understand the regulatory process including how to
navigate through the Federal Register and public dockets integral to rulemaking; and, 3) have a better
understanding of the arduous and long process involved in establishing and adopting any form of
rulemaking.
Course Syllabus
Lecture 1: History and goals of motor vehicle regulatory policy
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Overview of the evolution of the internal combustion engine and pollution control technology
Public health and environmental degradation – hierarchy in clean air legislation and regulation
Growth of the impact of motor vehicles on the environment and public health 1900 - 2013
The evolution of the importance of treating gasoline and engines as a system
Lecture 2: Structure and Evolution of regulatory agencies
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The important role of California 1940 – 2013
The federal Clean Air Act and EPCA 1975
Establishment and importance of the NAAQS
Evolution of EPA, CARB, and NHTSA
Lecture 3: History of motor vehicle regulation
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The relationships between photochemical smog and motor vehicles and fuels
Motor vehicle regulations for emissions, fuel economy, and safety 1962 – 1985
Lecture 4: Motor vehicle regulations (continued)
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Regulations for emissions, fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, and safety 1986 - 2025
Lecture 5: Fuel economy regulation
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In-depth evaluation of fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions regulation 1975 – 2025
Students assigned specific roles for independent research
Lecture 6: Scenario Analysis
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Role playing with students defending specific positions relative to fuel economy regulation
Lecture 7: Scenario Analysis
Continuation of role playing with students defending specific positions relative to fuel economy
regulation development process
Lecture 8: Technology forcing standards
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The California electric vehicle (ZEV) mandate
How to define technical feasibility and economic practicability in regulatory development
Presentation of motor vehicle technology and its evolution
Industry and government relationships
Lecture 9: Other issues relevant to motor vehicle regulation
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VMT reduction, battery issues, fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen, alternative fuels, fuel tax,
demographic shifts, traffic congestion, global growth in non-OECD countries, OBD-3, masstransit
Lecture 10: Career paths in the motor vehicle regulatory and policy realm
Assigned Reading Material:
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Federal Clean Air Act Sections 202 and 211
California Code of Regulations Title 13
Performance and Grading: Students are expected to attend all classes and come prepared to engage in
dialogue and give and take with professor and fellow students. Performance evaluation is heavily
influenced by class participation. Missing 2 or more classes without valid reasons and prior notification
to the instructor is grounds for a failing grade.