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January 27, 2009

Obama Orders New Fuel Economy Standards
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President Obama has begun reversing the climate policies of the Bush
administration by clearing the way for new rules to force auto makers to
produce more fuel-efficient and less polluting cars. On Monday, Obama
issued directives requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to
consider allowing states to cut greenhouse gas emissions spewed by
vehicles and ordered the Transportation Department to boost fuel economy
standards for cars and trucks for the 2011 model year.

President Obama: “We must ensure that the fuel-efficient cars of
tomorrow are built right here in the United States of America.
Increasing fuel efficiency in our cars and trucks is one of the most
important steps that we can take to break our cycle of dependence on
foreign oil. It will also help spark the innovation needed to ensure
that our auto industry keeps pace with competitors around the world. We
will start by implementing new standards for model year 2011, so that we
use less oil and families have access to cleaner, more efficient cars
and trucks.”