Tomorrow the White House will announce new federal fuel efficiency standards for motor vehicles that will require a 35 mpg fleet average by 2016. This standard will also serve as a de facto national greenhouse gas emission standard equivalent to the standard adopted by California, prompting California to "stand down" from pursuing its own separate GHG standards. I have also heard that, in response, the major automakers will drop their various challenges to state GHG standards. Do not be surprised if this new rule also becomes the new GHG emissions standard under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act. The NYT has more here.

UPDATE: I am quite sure this -- and not a pending Supreme Court nomination -- is the reason Gov. Granholm will be at the White House tomorrow. If I'm wrong, I'll owe Orin a beer.