President Barack Obama announced today a national program to reduce vehicle carbon emissions by 30 percent, and increase fuel efficiency standards for all cars in the U.S by 2016. "The status quo is no longer acceptable," Obama said at a White House ceremony. "We have done little to increase fuel efficiency of America's cars and trucks for decades." The change will require new designs and new construction for all car makers in the U.S., which will open up opportunities for engineers. "We will need to use every engineer we have," said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, calling on Americans to also invest in the new cleaner cars. "Automakers are committed to working with the President to develop a National Program administered by the federal government." MSNBC reports that the Transportation Department last year estimated that requiring the industry to meet 31.6 mpg by 2015 would cost nearly $47 billion. Obama is asking for 35.5 mpg by 2016. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts engineering jobs will grow about as fast as the national average through 2016 as well.  |