"For the first time, the government will enact a national limitation on car emissions, President Barack Obama announced today. And those limits will be strict. He's proposing a plan that would require that vehicles get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, from the current regulation of 27.5 miles per gallon—resulting in a 30 percent drop in vehicles' carbon emissions.
Calling current rules on vehicle efficiency 'inadequate, uncertain, and in flux,' Obama highlighted the piecemeal nature of current policy, in which the Environmental Protection Agency sets one standard, the Department of Transportation sets another, and California and 13 other states have attempted to set a third. 'The goal is to set one national standard that will increase fuel efficiency,' Obama said."
Amanda Ruggeri reports for US News & World Report May 19, 2009.
See Also:
Analysis: "As Political Winds Shift, Detroit Charts New Course" (NYTimes)
"Green 'Gold Rush' Seen In New U.S. Auto Standards" (Reuters)
Revised Bill Carries Smaller Price Tag: EPA (Greenwire/NYTimes)
New Standards: The Start of Obama's Green Revolution (Christian Science Monitor)
What Plan Will Cost Consumers, Carmakers (Christian Science Monitor)
"Auto Emissions Deal a Win for California" (Los Angeles Times)
"Canada To Match U.S. Car Fuel Rules" (Toronto Globe and Mail)
Scene Behind the Deal (Los Angeles Times)
Factbox: Standards Around the World (Reuters)
Editorial: Deal Worthy of Buyers' Support (Detroit Free Press)
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