Obama to change Bush climate policies

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama plans to instruct federal agencies this week to examine policies that could require automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars.

The move could lead to the reversal of two Bush-era decisions that have helped shape the nation's climate policy, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

Among the policies the president wants reconsidered is an application by California for a waiver to regulate automobile tailpipe emissions. Obama also wants the Transportation Department to issue guidelines to ensure the nation's auto fleet reaches an average fuel efficiency of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

"President Obama's actions will reduce our oil dependence by speeding the production of the gas-sipping cars of the future," said Daniel Weiss, who directs climate strategy at Center for American Progress.

"He understands that oil and gasoline prices will rise with our recovering economy, and more fuel efficient cars will help families cope with higher prices. And other countries will want to buy our more efficient vehicles," Weiss said.