New automaker standards to be set

Bloomberg: Pres, Obama to announce new automaker standards, carbon limits

President Obama is expected to announce today that automakers must meet average U.S. fuel-economy standards of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, which is four years sooner than previously planned. The standard is the same as that proposed by California in 2004.

“It launches a new beginning,” said David McCurdy, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, in a statement. “The president has succeeded in bringing three regulatory bodies, 15 states, a dozen automakers and many environmental groups to the table.”

Under Obama’s proposal, the Environmental Protection Agency would set the new standard for greenhouse gas emissions.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Statewide transit commission approved by legislature

ARKANSAS: State Supreme Court strikes down liability reforms again

FLORIDA: Attorney General McCollum to run for governor

GEORGIA: State's juvenile justice system released from 11-year federal oversight

KENTUCKY: New option for rainwater collection -- Used Kentucky bourbon barrels

LOUISIANA: Rep. Honey gets unemployment compensation bill past inattentive Chamber

MISSISSIPPI: Runoff elections held in several cities today

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue to sign restaurant smoking ban

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislative session may be state's least productive

TENNESSEE: Director of Tennessee Ethics Commission fired

VIRGINIA: Three Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls to debate today

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