Following up on two major campaign themes, on Monday, January 26, President Obama stated that, "It will be the policy of my administration to reverse our dependence on foreign oil while building a new energy economy that will create millions of jobs."  He directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by memorandum to Lisa Jackson, the new EPA administrator, to reconsider California's request for a waiver so that it can impose rules for automotive greenhouse gas emissions more strict than those of the federal government, according to the Wall Street Journal. Under the federal Clean Air Act, California needs an EPA waiver in order to set pollution standards that are stricter than other federal standards.
 
So goes California, so goes other states?  While a final decision by EPA is not expected for several months, with the number of states that the "Bush administration had left idling on clean cars" (according to Chris Kearns of Environment Rhode Island) the states are waiting to act.  Thirteen other states have already passed laws calling for the adoption of new rules as soon as the waiver is granted.  However, not all of Indiana's neighbors are thrilled with the prospect.  Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, suggested that this was akin to hitting U.S. automakers when they are down.  "I am fearful that today's action will begin the process of setting the American auto industry back even further," replied Voinovich in a written statement.  "The federal government should not be piling on an industry already hurting in a time like this."  President Obama refutes the assertion, saying "Let me be clear: Our goal is not to further burden an already struggling industry," Obama said. "It is to help America's automakers prepare for the future."  Obama also directed his administration to get in place new fuel-efficiency guidelines for the auto industry in time to cover 2011 model-year cars.
 
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reports that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday, February 2 will appoint a special envoy for climate change as the Obama administration moves to restore America's credentials in environmental policy, according to U.S. officials familiar with her decision.