Obama orders push to cleaner, more efficient cars

The Associated Press reports Obama orders push to cleaner, more efficient cars.

"President Barack Obama opened an ambitious, double-barreled assault on global warming and U.S. energy woes Monday, moving quickly toward rules requiring cleaner-running cars that guzzle less gas — a must, he said, for "our security, our economy and our planet.""

"Starting his second week in office, Obama took a major step toward allowing California and other states to target greenhouse gases through more stringent auto emission standards, and he ordered new federal rules directing automakers to start making more fuel-efficient cars as required by law. The auto industry responded warily. Reducing planet-warming emissions is a great idea, carmakers and dealers said, but they expressed deep concern about costly regulations and conflicting state and federal rules at a time when people already are not buying cars. U.S. auto sales plunged 18 percent in 2008."

"'It is very telling that at a time when he's working feverishly to pass an $825 billion stimulus package, he took these concrete steps on day six,' she said. 'That speaks volumes to his commitment.' Environmental advocates, she added, are 'all going to be applauding him — and holding his feet to the fire.'"