Image: NY Times

We all are well aware of what environmental and safety legislation did in ending the muscle car era nearly overnight in 1972, and that it took Detroit nearly 20 years to recover from a performance standpoint. Today’s muscle cars like the new Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger are vastly safer, more powerful, and faster than their 1960’s counterparts and are comparatively pumping perfume out the tailpipes in the process.

That safety and efficiency has come at a price as modern performance cars come with a hefty price tag. On a similar front, the Tier 4 emissions standards  that take full effect in 2015 may be driving up the price of modern diesel engines due to the expensive after-treatment systems that are being used to scrub NOx and particulate matter from the exhaust.

According to the LeftLaneNews, Fred Upton, the highest ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has introduced new legislation that would move to bar California and other states from imposing their own tailpipe laws. It would also overturn the 2007 Clean Air Act.

Thus far no automakers have mentioned their support of the bill but both Ford and Toyota had recently sent letters to the House with concerns that new EPA regulations would cost automakers an additional $50 billion by the year 2016. The bill Upton has introduced would prevent the EPA and California from adding new rules after 2017. At that point the regulations would be returned from the EPA back to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.