According to reports in the New York Times and the Washington Post, President Obama is expected to instruct federal agencies to act quickly to grant California a waiver to regulate automobile tailpipe emissions and to raise fuel efficiency standards for our nation's automobiles.

Following is a response from Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council:

"These are monumental decisions that will have an immediate impact in reducing global warming pollution in the United States. Just days into office, President Obama is showing America and the world that he will lead our country in a bold new direction to protect the environment and fight global warming. By putting the California waiver into effect, there will be a strong standard for automobile emissions in California and at least 13 other states that will cut global warming pollution. By raising fuel efficiency standards, our cars will burn less gas, Americans will save at the pump, and our country will be less dependent on oil. These actions are a clear demonstration that President Obama recognizes the urgency of moving America to clean energy and tackling the climate crisis in 2009."