Obama: Plan To Regulate Emissions

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Obama to Unveil Increased Mileage Standards President Obama is set to propose new mileage standards for vehicles on American roads.

MSNBC reports that new cars and trucks will have to get 30 percent better mileage starting in 2016 under the administration's move to curb emissions tied to smog and global warming. The new requirement will cost consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle and marks the first time that limits on greenhouse gases will be linked to federal standards for cars and light trucks.

While the 30 percent increase would be an average for both cars and light trucks, the percentage increase in cars would be much greater, rising from the current 27.5 mpg standard to 42 mpg starting in 2016. The average for light trucks would rise from 24 mpg to 26.2 mpg. Advocates of the plan say that it would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil through 2016 and is the environmental equivalent of removing 177 million cars from the road.

California, 13 other states, and the District of Columbia had earlier urged the federal government to let them enact more stringent standards than the federal government's requirements. Sources say the Obama administration plans to phase in the new requirements, beginning with 2011 vehicle models.

For full coverage of Obama's plans to create stricter mileage standards, click here.