LANSING – Michigan’s political leaders embraced on Tuesday the new agreement setting uniform national standards on fuel economy and reducing vehicle emissions. The announcement by President Barack Obama in Washington was attended by Governor Jennifer Granholm, key congressional members and leaders of the auto industry and UAW.

The agreement calls for achieving California’s 35.5 miles per gallon fuel standard by 2016, going in 5 percent improvement increments each year beginning in 2011. California and 13 other states that have adopted more stringent standards agreed to abide by the single national standard and automakers are dropping lawsuits they had challenging those separate standards.

In his announcement, Obama praised all sides for putting aside past differences to support something that he characterized as good for the climate and good for the national interest by reducing the reliance on imported oil.

“This is an historic agreement that represents a trifecta: certainty and uniformity for automakers, fuel economy for consumers, and lower emissions for the planet,” Granholm said. “A single, unified standard is a smart regulatory policy that creates a level playing field for auto manufacturers and workers and protects the environment.”

U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn), who historically has been the face of Detroit’s position on fuel economy standards, said the standard is aggressive but reachable. “This is a remarkable environmental and national security accomplishment in an era that requires aggressive action to combat global warming and free our nation from foreign oil,” he said. “We now have a clear path forward on (corporate average fuel economy) and automakers do not have to be concerned about meeting a patchwork of different state standards.”

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) was not able to attend the announcement ceremony but said she too was pleased the agreement establishes a national standard. But she added, “During these tough economic times, we must also provide the resources necessary so our automakers can meet this standard. That’s why as a member of the Senate Finance and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, I will work to make sure we are investing in the next-generation battery and component technology needed to power hybrid and electric vehicles in America.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) said the agreement closes what he called a California fuel-standard loophole that was killing Big Three jobs.

“As the regulations for the president’s plan are written, I urge him to make sure these new rules do not eliminate good-paying manufacturing jobs,” he said.

Environmental interests praised the announcement, which also noted the certainty the plan gives along with important reductions in emissions. Michigan Environmental Council President Chris Kolb said the agreement “is perhaps the most significant single step our nation has made to date in slowing the emission of climate altering pollution. The survival and vitality of Michigan’s automobile industry is dependent both on regulatory certainty, and the foresight to manufacture vehicles that are relevant in an era of higher and volatile fuel prices, and greater awareness of climate change.”

And the Ecology Center said the agreement reduces greenhouse gases, preserves a fair regulatory structure and ensures technological advancements in vehicles. Michael Garfield, executive director of the group, said, “The United States gets the best of both worlds through this agreement: California’s strong environmental standards and the federal government’s jobs-friendly regulatory structure.”

OBAMA SHOUT-OUT TO GRANHOLM: Obama, who reportedly has Granholm on a short list of candidates for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, gave an early nod to the governor as the ceremony began following a briefing on the issue inside the White House with governors of several states and other participants.

“Some of the finest governors in the country are here; let me take them in order of good looks, sorry Arnold (Schwarzenegger, the California governor),” Obama said in recognizing first Granholm, then Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Schwarzenegger.

Despite continued speculation about the impending Supreme Court vacancy, Granholm aides said Tuesday’s visit to D.C. did not involve any discussions on that topic with the president.

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