"U.S. Would Slash EPA Vehicle Testing Budget Under Trump Plan"

"The Trump administration would virtually eliminate federal funding for the Environmental Protection Agency's budget for vehicle emissions and fuel economy testing but will seek to raise fees on industry to pay for some testing, a government document shows.

The cuts would slash by more than half the staff of the EPA department that conducts vehicle, engine, and fuel testing to verify emissions standards are met and mileage stickers are accurate. Its work helped lead to Volkswagen AG's (VOWG_p.DE) 2015 admission that it violated vehicle emissions rules for years.

In a March 21 budget document posted online by the Washington Post, the Trump administration proposed eliminating $48 million in federal funding for EPA vehicle and fuel testing and certification."

David Shepardson reports for Reuters April 4, 2017.