U.S. to focus on engine efficiency

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. Energy Department said it was investing more than $8 million to develop technology to improve the efficiency of vehicle engines.

Projects in Michigan, Massachusetts and Wisconsin would use federal money to focus on making engines and powertrain systems more efficient. This, the Energy Department said, would help improve fuel economy standards while reducing fuel costs and U.S. demand for oil imports.

"By encouraging innovations to help make America's vehicle fleet more fuel efficient, the Obama administration is working to improve the nation's energy security and reduce our reliance on imported oil," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said.

U.S. President Barack Obama unveiled new fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks in July. Over a series of incremental increases, the new standards would impose restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and push fuel efficiency standards to the equivalent of more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025.

Obama touted a green energy strategy during his State of the Union address in January. Though critics say an aggressive alternative energy policy is, in the case of bankrupt solar panel company Solyndra, a waste of taxpayer money, Obama has trumpeted his energy policy as a near panacea for U.S. economic woes.