Obama Moves to Make America Green

A repudiation of 8 years of head-in-sand environmental policy: 

In one key move, Obama is aiming to let California and other states set their own tailpipe emission standards — without having to get a waiver from the Environmental Protection Administration, as has been the case. The policy change would furnish another alternative for reducing greenhouse gases, principally carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming. It also would reverse a Bush era policy that put up legal obstacles to California's go-it-alone stance.

Last week, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, sent a letter to Obama asking him to give California and other states permission to implement the tough tailpipe-emission standards. Schwarzenegger said Obama "has a unique opportunity to both support the pioneering leadership of these states and move America toward global leadership on addressing climate change."

The goal:

..automobile manufacturers will quickly have to retool to begin producing and selling cars and trucks that get higher mileage than the national standard, and on a faster phase-in schedule. The auto companies have lobbied hard against the regulations and challenged them in court.

As I have noted recently, it's only a matter of time before gas prices go up again. Especially considering that the taxpayers have bailed out the auto industry to the tune of tens of billions of dollars, it's about time that they start making cars that use less gas and have a reduced impact on the environment. Kudos, Mr President.

UPDATE: He's not done:

Outlining his energy priorities, he said the country would not be held "hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet". He called for greater fuel efficiency and an "energy economy" aimed at creating millions of jobs.

"We will commit ourselves to steady, focused, pragmatic pursuit of an America that is freed from our energy dependence, and empowered by a new energy economy that puts millions of our citizens to work." He added: "Now is the time to meet the challenge of this crossroads of history, by choosing a future safer for our country, prosperous for our planet, and sustainable."

And after years of putting ideology over science and facts, you gotta love this:

My administration will not deny facts. We will be guided by them.

More details on Obama's energy policy can be found here.