New federal auto mileage rule on tap

[NJmaverick]

Source: The Hill

The Transportation Department and EPA will roll out final rules Thursday that boost car and light truck fuel efficiency and create first-time auto emissions standards for carbon dioxide.

Thursday’s completion of the rules has long been expected. But it will provide the White House and environmentalists a chance to sing off the same song sheet, a day after President Obama announced a major offshore oil-and-gas drilling expansion that green groups strongly criticized.

President Obama touted the auto efficiency rules Wednesday during a speech announcing the drilling plan, casting the drilling as just one part of a broader energy policy that’s heavy on conservation and renewable sources.

“Just a few months after taking office, I also gathered the leaders of the world's largest automakers, the heads of labor unions, environmental advocates, and public officials from California and across the country to reach a historic agreement to raise fuel economy standards in cars and trucks,” Obama said during Wednesday’s speech at Andrews Air Force Base.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/90151-big-federal-auto-mileage-rule-on-tap-thursday