President Obama said yesterday that he would reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and lower greenhouse gas emissions. This was his first press conference at the White House  since he was elected. He stated:

“We will commit ourselves to steady, focused, pragmatic pursuit of an America that is freed from our energy dependence, and empowered by a new energy economy that puts million of our citizens to work.”

He also ordered a review of whether states can set higher car emission standards.  In the past California and other states  have tried to come up with stricter emission standards than those that were required by the previous administration; of this Obama said:

“Washington stood in their way.” He added, “The days of Washington dragging its heels are over. My administration will not deny facts. We will be guided by them.”

Auto makers have pushed for a single national standard;  saying that they would face billions of dollars in new costs to meet the rules. This would also place higher pressure on automakers to produce more fuel efficient vehicles.

The president is calling upon the Transportation Department to draw up rules to follow up a 2007 law that  President Bush put into effect, but never drew up regulations for,  that required a 40 percent improvement in gas mileage for autos and light trucks by the year 2020.

President Obama will order temporary regulations to be put in effect by March;  so another year won’t be wasted and automakers will have time to retool for vehicles to be sold in 2011.

The Washington Post reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Todd Stern, who served under the Clinton administration from 1993 to 2001, will be the Obama administration’s special envoy for climate change. Clinton had this to say:

“With the appointment today of a special envoy, we are sending an unequivocal message that the United States will be energetic, focused, strategic and serious about addressing global climate change and the corollary issue of clean energy.”

After Clinton finished speaking, Stern added:

“Containing climate change will require nothing less than transforming the global economy from a high- carbon to a low- carbon energy base, but done right, this can free us from our dependence on foreign oil and become a driver for economic growth in the 21st century.”