California has long been the pace-setter on fuel emission standards for cars. But unlike the Bush years, when the state actually had to take the Environmental Protection Agency to court to get anything done, now the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are coordinating with California to make things happen.

Until today, California had issued its standards separately – and they’ve been stricter than the feds’. But with both set to issue new guidelines this year for the 2017 to 2025 model years, it made sense for them to work together. “By working together with EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop standards for the next generation of clean cars, we can set a standard that works for automakers across the country,” DOT Secretary Ray LaHood said in the announcement.

A dozen states had pledged to follow California into tougher standards; now it appears there will be a single, national standard for the first time.

Automakers were also pleased by the move, which should make planning much simpler. Standards for the 2012 to 2016 model years had been set by California in 2004 but it wasn’t until last April that Federal guidelines were finally adopted. They were largely comparable to California’s, making the first time that national and state standards were consistent.

The new standards will be announced on September 1.

(Photo of electric Pulse future car from Arcimoto)