Obama: States Can Set Strict Auto Emissions, Efficiency Standards

Published January 25, 2009 @ 04:48PM PT

President Obama is expected to make good on a campaign pledge tomorrow, by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to grant the "California waiver," which will allow that state and 13 other states to set their own, stricter-than-federal standards for tailpipe emissions and fuel efficiency.

It's a sharp reversal of Bush administration's refusal to grant California a waiver to set its own auto regulations, and "one of the most dramatic actions Mr. Obama can take to quickly put his stamp on environmental policy," according to The New York Times, which cites "two administration officials" as its sources.

Mr. Obama is expected to make other announcements as well: He will direct federal agencies to immediately start working to make government buildings more energy efficient, both to save around $2 billion annually, and cut carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. And he will tell the Department of Transportation to begin drafting auto fuel-economy regulations in compliance with a federal law passed in 2007 -- which the Bush administration did not act upon.

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Comments (3)

Wow, I thought we already had strict enough smog laws in California. I read this," new idea for politicians to make money," when I woke up today. You know, I don't mind paying taxes; but a hole new bill? Really? They don't have to pretend they care about the air I breath. They should calling it, "California is bankrupt, and we need to screw any one who has money; out of it bill." ( Yeah, I also read the disclaimer at the end. You know, the one that said, " this won't help air quality.")
Man, I sure hope President Obama saw that. He's gonna look pretty stupid if he passes a bill on, emissions; that doesn't even clean up the air.

Posted by L.S. hope on 01/26/2009 @ 11:13AM PT
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   One more thing; if anyone reading this cares about the environment, lets pass a bill that says, "100% of the money," made off of this bill, must go to start recycling centers in areas without them.
   Yeah, that will never happen. We need to stop reading what they want us to see. Just read the bill. It's long, boring, and full of,"republished data," nobody will understand. This bill is written off of estimations; not actual facts.( So much for the changes I was promised.) This is a crafty way to raise taxes, without having to raise taxes.   (One out of 6, Californians can't afford auto insurance. So, lets raise the price on emissions. Now, we'll have gross polution and unprotected drivers!) I hate politicians.


Posted by L.S. hope on 01/26/2009 @ 02:32PM PT
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Barack Obama is doing the correct by supporting tougher environmental standards, especially in helping to implement California's necessary emission standards. In addition, I feel awed to read what else the President is doing to conserve energy and get a grip on global warming, especially with greener buildings and acting on a law that Bush failed to follow. What must be done to combat global warming effectively must be done because it's the correct thing to do.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 01/27/2009 @ 03:41PM PT
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