This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7851038.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Obama 'to tighten auto standards' Obama 'to act over car emissions'
(10 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama is expected to allow states to set their own stricter standards for automobile exhaust emissions, his aides have said. US President Barack Obama is expected to allow states to set their own stricter standards for vehicle exhaust emissions, his aides have said.
The move would overturn a Bush administration decision in favour of a national standard for auto pollution. It would overturn a Bush administration decision which favoured a national standard for vehicle pollution.
California, a leader in environmental protection, and other states had sought exemptions to set their own standards.California, a leader in environmental protection, and other states had sought exemptions to set their own standards.
Mr Obama is also expected to set new rules for automakers to improve their products' fuel efficiency. Mr Obama is also expected to set new rules for carmakers to improve their products' fuel efficiency.
Energy efficiency driveEnergy efficiency drive
Mr Obama is preparing to order the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin work on granting California and 13 other states an exemption from the federal Clear Air Act to set their own standards on tailpipe emissions and fuel efficiency, US media has reported aides to President Obama as saying. Mr Obama is preparing to order the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin work on granting California and 13 other states an exemption from the federal Clear Air Act to set their own standards on exhaust emissions and fuel efficiency, US media has reported aides to President Obama as saying.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had asked Mr Obama to reverse the Bush administration's insistence on a single, national standard.California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had asked Mr Obama to reverse the Bush administration's insistence on a single, national standard.
President Obama is also expected to order the transportation department to come up with new short-term rules on how automakers can improve fuel efficiency. President Obama is also expected to order the transportation department to come up with new short-term rules on how carmakers can improve fuel efficiency.
A 2007 law required that new cars and trucks produced by 2020 obtain 35 miles per gallon of fuel (about 13km/litre), a 40% increase over the current standard, Associated Press news agency said.A 2007 law required that new cars and trucks produced by 2020 obtain 35 miles per gallon of fuel (about 13km/litre), a 40% increase over the current standard, Associated Press news agency said.
However, Mr Bush did not put in place the regulations to enable the law to be carried out.However, Mr Bush did not put in place the regulations to enable the law to be carried out.
The new rules Mr Obama wants put in place would mean the new standard is reached by 2011, the New York Times said.The new rules Mr Obama wants put in place would mean the new standard is reached by 2011, the New York Times said.
The president is also expected to announce plans to make all federal government buildings more energy efficient.The president is also expected to announce plans to make all federal government buildings more energy efficient.
The moves would fulfil a campaign pledge of Mr Obama's to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and to invest more in renewable energy sources.The moves would fulfil a campaign pledge of Mr Obama's to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and to invest more in renewable energy sources.