Most environmentalists agree that boosting fuel efficiency in cars is the number one challenge in the battle to scale back both America's greenhouse emissions and our dependence on foreign oil. So it's excellent news that states are stepping up to impose stricter fuel-efficiency standards—particularly at a time when federal leaders in Washington are shrinking away from the issue. Vermont has decided to follow California's lead and require that all new cars and trucks in 2012 emit 22 percent less carbon dioxide than today’s vehicles.

Greenhouse emissions reductions of up to 30 percent would be required by 2016. Transportation accounts for a staggering 70 percent of America's oil demands and generates a third of the nation's carbon emissions. And owing to America's obsession with SUVs, the average car's fuel efficiency is actually lower today than it was in 1980.

Vermont is one of a dozen states including Oregon and New York and that are considering adopting California's stricter emissions standards, even though Detroit automakers have sued the Sunshine State to overturn the new rules.