Tight Auto Curbs Ok'd

U.s. Backs Calif. Rules, Frees Md., Other States To Follow

Automakers had been concerned that granting California a waiver would leave them struggling with two sets of standards and had sued to stop the plan. The agreement ends the litigation.

"President Obama's decision last month to create a single national program for greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards moves us toward a policy that ensures that consumers in all 50 states have access to highly fuel-efficient vehicles at an affordable price," said Dave McCurdy, president and chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "We are hopeful the granting of this waiver will not undermine the enormous efforts put forth to create the national program."

Agreement details

* Average miles per gallon will rise 5 percent nationally from 2012 to 2016, with California, Maryland, Washington and a dozen other states moving slightly ahead of schedule.

* Every state will be on the same page by 2016, with cars and light trucks averaging 35.5 miles per gallon.

* Environmental groups estimate the limits will cut Maryland's global warming pollution by about the same amount as removing 4.5 million cars from the road for a year.

* Nationally, the standards are expected to reduce oil consumption by 1.8 billion barrels over the life of the program and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 million metric tons.