President Obama and California are preparing to take the gloves off in the fight for emissions regulation to curb global warming. Normally the phrase ‘take the gloves off’ would mean they are getting ready to really duke it out. Not this time. The gloves will come off because the fight will be finished, IF, President Obama gets his way.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally reacts to Barack Obama's initiative

Ford CEO Alan Mulally reacts to Barack Obama's initiative on emission regulations

President Barack Obama, in hopes of reducing climate-warming greenhouse gasses (good luck!) and lowering dependence on foreign oil (it’s about time) proposed the first U.S. regulation of auto emissions.

The new initiative will be the strictest plan to date for increasing fuel standards for passenger cars.

The plan will also raise pressure on already struggling automakers to produce better (more efficient cars and trucks)— a plan several years late and many billions of dollars short.

But, better late than never. Obama is going to lay down the law so the carmakers know what is expected of them with regard to federal regulatory policy and so the carmakers can better plan for the future, IF, they are still around and out of chapter 11.

“The status quo is no longer acceptable,” Obama said. “We have done little to increase fuel efficiency of America’s cars and trucks for decades.”

The new proposal calls for U.S. passenger vehicle fleets to average 35.5 miles per gallon (6.6 litres/100km) by 2016. This will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil. The new proposal will also require the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to regulate tailpipe emissions for the first time.

IF the proposal goes through, a longstanding dispute between California and the government over California’s attempt to regulate emissions will be resolved. California would abide by the new policy and law suits against the state led by the auto industry would be dropped.

And, I will still have to pay more for the emission equipment on my car and the gas that goes into it. All for a cleaner, greener world.

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