The New York Times broke a huge environmental policy story Sunday night, reporting that the Obama administration will today order federal officials to "move swiftly" on state requests to set their own tougher car emissions standards.

If Environmental Protection Agency officials grant the waivers, the move is a striking break with the Bush administration, which had blockaded the states' petitions. California is one of 14 states that have adopted emissions limits stricter than current national standards, but have not been able to implement them. Minnesota environmental advocates said Sunday that Minnesota is one of four states (the others being Florida, New Hampshire and Illinois) likely to consider tighter standards this year

Under the federal Clean Air Act, states can set stronger car emissions standards than the federal requirement. California already does so for smog-related emissions; the new standards it seeks are aimed at emissions linked to global warming. Carmakers have opposed the new standards, saying it would cause a patchwork of laws. The industry also said it would be burdensome because they'd have to manufacture two sets of each car model: one for states with the new standards and one for states without it.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger petitioned the president last week to overturn Bush policy on state emission standards.

Obama is also expected to order transportation officials to act on rules requiring carmakers to comply with a 2007 law setting higher fuel efficiency standards. That law had essentially had been put into a regulatory limbo during the Bush administration.