Going green

Highlights of the presidential memoranda signed yesterday:

- Directs Environmental Protection Agency to reconsider California's proposed restrictions to force automakers to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in new cars and light trucks by 2016. The waiver, expected to be granted soon, would apply to other states, including Massachusetts, that have adopted California's standards. The requirements would boost fuel efficiency in new vehicles to 36.8 miles per gallon.

- Orders Transportation Department to enact new annual fuel-efficiency standards, starting with 2011 model cars, to go from an average of 27.5 miles a gallon to at least 35 miles a gallon by 2020 - as Congress voted to do in December 2007.