Washington-In moves that could slash US oil use and bolster climate change policy, President Barack Obama January 26 launched a process that could allow more than a dozen states to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks, and advanced a measure to hike auto fuel efficiency by 40%.California needs permission from the federal government to implement its motor vehicle GHG standards, which would require automakers to reduce heat-trapping emissions on new vehicles they sell in the state by about 30%. The Bush administration denied California's request in December 2007, saying the standards would result in a "confusing patchwork quilt" of emissions regulation for the automobile industry.
展开▼
