Obama begins reversing Bush climate policies

[one...two...tree 2,762]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama began reversing the climate policies of the Bush administration on Monday, clearing the way for new rules to force auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient and less polluting cars.

The president told the Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider immediately a request by California to impose its own strict limits on vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, blamed for contributing to global warming.

The Democratic Obama took over last Tuesday from former President George W. Bush, whose Republican administration had denied the request, prompting California and other states to sue.

"The federal government must work with, not against, states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Obama said at the White House, taking a stab at his predecessor's policies.

"California has shown bold and bipartisan leadership through its effort to 21st century standards. And over a dozen states have followed its lead."

Obama's directive, which is likely to result in a formal change in coming months, could prompt as many as 18 states to follow California's lead by putting into effect tailpipe emissions standards that are tougher than federal requirements.

The president directed the Department of Transportation to move forward with setting vehicle fuel efficiency standards for model year 2011 by March, giving automakers an 18-month period to prepare.

The rules piled pressure on an ailing car industry struggling to survive in a deepening recession with the help of federal bailouts.

General Motors Corp said it is "working aggressively" to develop better hybrids and electric cars to reduce emissions and improve mileage, but policymakers must weigh in economic factors when making their decision.

"We're ready to engage the Obama administration and Congress on policies that support meaningful and workable solutions and targets," the company said in a statement.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090126/pl_nm/us_obama_climate

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So is he reversing global warming?

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

So is he reversing global warming?

al gore is gonna be disappointed.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

drill baby drill through those policies!

[Waldo 0]

I had a highschool presentation in 2000 where I remember predicting the next biggest era in the way we live would have to be a change in our mode of transportation. I still beleive that now more then ever and even though I am not sure if it will be a change in what we already are doing like hiring standards on consumption, a new stable fuel soarce like H20 vehichles, a completely radical change like teleporting.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"For the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change," Obama said in his first formal event in the ornate East Room of the White House.

"It will be the policy of my administration," he said, "to reverse our dependence on foreign oil while building a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs."

~ Pres. Obama

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090126/ap_on_...Av2WGCz3qCs0NUE

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

"It will be the policy of my administration," he said, "to reverse our dependence on foreign oil while building a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs."

Sounds good.