Pres. Obama to put his stamp on environmental policy
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama will announce Monday new renewable energy directives - including an executive order which allows California and 13 other states to set their own auto emissions and fuel efficiency standards beyond what is called for by federal law, a senior administration official told CNN.
The states can regulate their own auto emissions in their states by requiring automakers to produce trucks and cars that get better mileage than what is required of the national standard, the senior administration official said.
Obama will do this by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to grant a waiver for the states, which was denied under former President Bush, to allow them to set their own standards for emissions.
Automakers agreed with Bush and vehemently opposed the waivers, saying creating another set of rules regarding pollution standards for some states would be confusing and unenforceable.
Obama will also call for:
- automakers to increase their fuel efficiency standards nationwide;
- make government buildings more fuel efficient;
- and, find new ways for federal agencies to save energy.
From CNN Politics
- READ: Supreme Court's order on Texas abortion law and Sotomayor dissent
- Justice Clarence Thomas is ready to take over the Supreme Court October 22, 2021 06:11 pm
- West Virginia governor says he would welcome three Maryland counties with 'open arms' after GOP legislators ask to join his state October 22, 2021 05:58 pm
- Supreme Court lets Texas 6-week abortion ban stay in place and will hear oral arguments November 1 October 22, 2021 05:41 pm
- 'We're getting all kinds of threats': Judge says defiant US Capitol rioters are fueling threats from Trump supporters October 22, 2021 05:11 pm
- House investigators target the money trail behind January 6 rally October 22, 2021 04:31 pm
No more economy priority one, but environment and... abortion (?) That is what we get from a socialist party, big spending, and less freedom.
Ah...how refreshing, a forward-thinking president.
You think cars were expensive before, wow wait for the impact of this policy. I'm sure my New York State leadership can find a way to increase taxes using this policy. Just add it onto the new "Fat" tax. After all people who weigh more than normal, get lower gas mileage.
No doubt these actions are warranted and hopefully coordinated with the DOE. Throughout our history it seems the departments of government acted independently yet are basically intertwined in a common goal. In this case by addressing auto emissions it must be a combined effort between the EPA, DOT, DOE, NOAA and state departments of environmental management. In addition to regulating auto emissions a concerted effort to streamline these agencies to reduce redundancy should also be considered. It is my hope that with our current economic calamity we would seriously consider a complete restructuring of our government as any company would undertake as part of filing Chapter 7 bancruptcy restructuring and if America is not bancrupt, I hate to see what is!!!
We already allow states to set fuel standards and the result is a bunch of different standards that make for inefficient production and higher prices. I'm all for higher national standards, but a standard should be, you know, STANDARD!. Besides, if you buy a car n a state with lower standards and move to a state with higher standards, do you have to get a new car? This is an enforcement nightmare, but I'm sure obama has more stupid ideas coming.
FINALLY, something worthwhile from Washington
its about time someone cares enough to change the fuel efficency in autos,, withthe gas prices up again, we need this . in time this will pay off in savings and enviormental reasons
a man on a mission ....
I'm no energy expert but I live in Washington DC and see too many empty government buildings at night with all the lights on and I wonder how many federal buildings all across America are doing the same thing. We turn off the lights at home, why can't we turn them off at work as well?
Guess I won't be buying one of those expensive cars made in California..
This is what happens when you let the government into the auto business. Car manufacuturers will bear an enormous expense making 15 models of the same car so that it can meet emmission standards in every state. As an added bonus, the refineries already have trouble keeping up with the different blends that are demanded throughout the country, allowing the states to add even more government standards will simply push gas prices higher while refineries try to keep up. This will become another failed liberal policy that was well intentioned but ultimately a failure. Judge us not on results but judge us only on our intent.
A good step to stop the war on Terror, Global Warming!
This means everyone else will have to live by Calif. standards. Way to go BO, bankrupt the rest of us !
This is a real "Atta Boy" for Pres. Obama!
Allowing the states to jump start these things on their own will eventually force congress to do what they need to do put don't have the statesmanship, national interest or political backbone to do on their own...
I applaud President Obama's efforts to lessen our dependency on foreign oil through investment of alternative energy sources. It's time to get Americans working again, through American ingenuity, resources, production, and distribution. When will conservative ideologues and big business understand? If we outsource all the jobs for the consumer, how will consumers afford to buy the goods and services that garner profit for businesses?
Yet another example of why government has absolutely no business outside of "governing".
Let's make cars that cost more to make; to sell; to upkeep, and to insure. Let's saddle our automakers with cars that no self-respecting American would ever want to buy.
Let's all have government choose for us what we can make, and sell, and buy, right lefties?
You idiots.
All I want to say to the ne-sayers : We have to make tough choices and sacrifices, it's going to cost everybody something no matter how you look at it. So please stop thinking about yourself and let's do something about this. You can't have it both ways.
President Obama enounciated his position very well with just two words "I Won!!!". It wasn't intended to be a boast but a simple affirmation of the mandate from the American people. There is no need nor desire for the political battles of yesteryear since the survival of the nation is at stake not simply some political agenda. People are hurting, some starving, homeless, destitute, sick or without hope. This is just the beginning and will intensify daily as our nation sinks into the abyss. America must rally around our President and support his plans regardless of petty differences of opinion. He is not looking for a rubber stamp as Senator McCain says but a consensus of opinion that America needs help to survive not political grandstanding by obstructionists. The words lead, follow or get out of the way were never more appropos than now. We require no full contact politics only full cooperation and teamwork!!!
The economy is going down the tubes with more layoffs announced today, and Obama is worried about fuel efficiency, abortions for foeigners, and the terrorists held in Gitmo!
Boy, are we in trouble......!
And auto manufacturers think this is a bad thing? Aren't these the same guys that have come before us with hat in hand for our money. They produced a bad product – which lacked style, effecency and durability. They need someone to push them to the next level ! Stop crying and listen for a change corporate. You might learn how to survive !!
In these 14 states, vehicle prices will go up, quality will go down!
Excellent! In your face neocons!
OK United Auto Workers where are you?? You spent millions to get him elected and he is wasting no time in trying to put you out of business. It should have been a hint when he lied to you about NAFTA.
Good! More needs to be done though to stop Global Warming. The auto industry can't complain, coming cap in hand, making these stupid big useless cars.