Reporters gathered on the White House lawn with the birds chirping in the background. Perhaps they were cheering cleaner air! For me, this is one of the most exciting things Obama has done yet.
Now the industry knows what is expected of them and they can build cars appropriately and focus on new fuel-efficient technologies. The car companies will be smaller and more nimble, able to better innovate. This is really the only way to get car companies to build fuel-efficient and alternative fuel autos.
The new regulations will add to the price of a car until more fuel efficient cars can be developed at a cheaper price. The cost of an SUV will be even higher, which is a good thing in my book. If you need a bigger car, you're taking up more resources. Eventually, there will be cheap big cars and trucks.
Obama thanked Nancy Pelosi for cracking the whip on this.
He thanked governors: "Let me take them in the order of good looks," he said, announcing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California last. Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, of Michigan's, were also in attendance.
Auto manufacturers and environmental groups were on the lawn.
Obama energy adviser Carol Browner:
