Congressman Sander Levin

Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, said the "announcement provides a framework for doing so which is fair and effective. These standards are tough, but they are predictable, and they are consistent throughout the country.

"We have been pressing for a single, national policy because grafting a state-by-state patchwork of emission standards on top of the existing federal fuel rules would have created a confusing regulatory nightmare for auto companies and dealers," Levin said, urging more government assistance for automakers. "It is vital that the federal government continue efforts to maintain a strong domestic auto industry and accelerate grants targeted at battery development and low-cost loans to help industry retool their factories to produce advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles."

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