Obama To Announce New Fuel Standards

By: Michelle Levi
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

President Obama plans to announce a new national fuel economy standard for cars tomorrow, Politico's Mike Allen reports.

Top officials will reportedly convene in Washington for the White House announcement, including, potentially, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), a potential Supreme Court nominee, is also rumored to be attending the announcement.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations, tells CBS News' Chief White House Correspondent Chip Reid that the new policy includes "harmonized standards."

The president and carmakers hope the plan will add stability to struggling auto companies.

The Wall Street Journal is also reporting that the the new standards will call for raising the overall fuel economy of cars to thirty five miles per gallon by 2016 -- four years faster than federal law requires.

This announcement also marks the first time greenhouse gasses are linked to vehicle emissions. California, thirteen other states and the District of Columbia have lobbied to be allowed to enact higher standards than the federal government requires.

"The administration will bill the tailpipe-emissions announcement as historic, because it avoids a patchwork of standards and harmonizes so many stakeholders, including automakers, state governments, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency," Allen reports.

The story adds that President Obama has garnered support from both state governments and major carmakers, including Ford, Chrysler, GM and BMW, in "secret" conversations.

Early in his administration, the president charged the Department of Transportation to draft higher fuel efficiency standards for car manufacturers.

The new fuel standards, also called CAF? or Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, are limits placed on carmakers to standardize the number of miles per gallon achieved by their vehicles.

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by lithvak May 19, 2009 10:35 AM EDT: I'd like to know what gives the federal government the right to initiate policies like this along with so many others. What allowance is made in the constitution for the government to have the power to dictate to the people things such as this? Beyond protection from foreign invaders and the regulation of interstate commerce; they shouldn't be involved in much else. Things are totally out of hand and the people must take back the power from this out of control, authoritarian government.; Reply to this comment


by quapawsix May 19, 2009 8:02 AM EDT: The price of oil is high that's true but if America had been building a commuter transportation system instead of a car in every garage we would not have reached the point. It's our own need to over consume has lead us to this point. Our parents never lived this way what has happened? Simple the Corporate overlords have pushed you to this and the media helped. For years they have told you what to ware what to drive, where to shop, where to live all with the convenience of using your credit card with Sky Miles, Cash back, and low interest rates. Oh I forgot no payments till next year. (get the picture); Reply to this comment


by mav547166 May 19, 2009 6:57 AM EDT: This is just like the 70s. They lowered the speed limit to 55, and outlawed large engines. In four years extensions will be granted, repealed etc..; Reply to this comment


by eightsigma May 19, 2009 6:32 AM EDT: We should also raise fuel taxes to keep the cost of gas over $4 per gallon. That should accelerate demand for electrics.; Reply to this comment


by nextgenman09 May 19, 2009 5:58 AM EDT: "This announcement also marks the first time greenhouse gasses are linked to vehicle emissions."

Obama added "greenhouse gasses" for the foolish liberals. Open your wallets!
Posted by budmag06 at 2:31 AM : May 19, 2009
-----

Yawn. How's your conservative $750 Billion Bailout Bush/Paulson for banks coming along. Open your wallet.; Reply to this comment


by budmag06 May 19, 2009 5:31 AM EDT: "This announcement also marks the first time greenhouse gasses are linked to vehicle emissions."

Obama added "greenhouse gasses" for the foolish liberals. Open your wallets!; Reply to this comment


by honestindividual May 18, 2009 11:32 PM EDT: I hate to state the obvious, but why would anyone think that some sleazy politician can just "mandate" an average of 35 mpg instead of 25 mpg? There are already many cars that will get 35 mpg, such as Honda Civics, Toyota Corollas, small Hyundais, VW diesels, etc. Altogether, they probably sell 10% or so of the total each year; why? Because 90% of the public wants something else! How are you going to force people to buy something they've said they don't want? If you think GM & Chrysler have trouble selling cars now, wait until the lefties get done massaging the laws for them. By the way, they are already admitting there will be a $1,300 penalty for the increased efficiency...want to see the REAL AMOUNT?; Reply to this comment


by pensacola8-2009 May 18, 2009 11:29 PM EDT: 35 MPG is not too difficult to attain. I drove a 1980 Datsun B210 for 297,000 miles over 17 years. It had an air conditioner and got 33 MPG with a carburated 1.4 liter engine. My family of four was transported with an automobile that traveled between 2.5 - 3 times the distance of average automobiles with the same 87 octane gasoline. The car was economical and didn't bust my budget. In fact, it made financial space (about $500 each month) in my family budget for other priorities. Today, I drive a 2000 Honda Odyssey with 155,000 miles on it and it get 26 MPG driving 71 MPH over a flat and level interstate. I am about halfway into the expected life of my Honda. I had a scooter for a while that got 80 mpg. I used my stimulous check to buy it.; Reply to this comment


by stn_sage May 18, 2009 10:21 PM EDT: While I'd rather have this administration in charge of environmental concerns than the last---THIS issue is so far
removed from the priorities of the average citizen---that Mr. Obama and the Democrats are NOT doing themselves any favors by pursuing it---when they should be concerned and focused upon job creation, unemployment, rising costs, wasting the public's tax dollars on bailouts, etcetera!

...these issues if not concentrated upon, as perceived by the public, will come back to haunt them, if the GOP ever puts up moderate candidates instead of zealot, right extremist nuts!; Reply to this comment


by valh1 May 18, 2009 10:06 PM EDT: Oh, how wonderful!!! Another "historic" announcement from the King!; Reply to this comment