California Cheers Obama's Emissions Push

CBS Evening News: State That Pioneered Battle With Auto Industry Chimes In On President Obama's Proposals

(CBS)  In its drive to crack down on air pollution, California has waged a four-year battle with Washington and the auto industry. Now, it just might win, CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy reports.

"For too many years Washington has been asleep at the wheel. Now we have an ally." California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

California has wanted permission to set the most stringent standard in the nation on tailpipe emissions to reduce pollution.

The federal government requires cars and light trucks to get at least 35 mpg by 2020. California's plan would mandate 42.5 mpg by the same year, cutting greenhouse gas pollution by a whopping 49 percent more than the federal standard would, according to the California Air Resources Board.

At least 13 other states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, also want to adopt California's tougher regulations.

The Bush Administration said meeting the California standard could cost the struggling auto industry more than $100 billion. But California officials say they based their plan on technology automakers already have.

"Off-the-shelf existing technologies like variable valve timing, more efficient air conditioners, to put these in new cars that will be sold in the future," said California state Sen. Fran Pavley.

Today, the auto industry, now relying on government money to stay in business, is trying to make nice.

"We want to move forward in finding a way to bridge the concerns of the state with the federal government with this new leadership and chart out a new path forward," said Dave McCurdy of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

And with the new president calling for "decisive action" on cleaning up the environment, many in California are starting to breathe easier.