The Environmental Protection Agency ruled that California and 16 other states could not set their own emission standards for cars sold in their states. In its article reporting this decision, the NYT quoted EPA administrator Stephan L. Johnson saying "the Bush administration is moving forward with a clear national solution, not a confusing patchwork of state rules."
It would have been helpful to readers to point out what this "confusing patchwork of state rules would imply." The state rules would set mileage standards that are higher than the national level for the mix of cars sold in the affected states. An auto manufacturer could adjust its mix of cars sold in each state in order to meet whatever target is set. This process can be managed easily with an Excel spreadsheet. It is not clear why any auto manufacturer would find this process confusing.
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