In response to President Obama's orders Monday directing the EPA to look at whether some states can have tougher auto emission standards, state Sen. Rodney Ellis and state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, are renewing their failed legislation from last session to have Texas follow the stricter California standards for auto emissions.

"For the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change," Obama said following the signing of the order.

Ellis and Strama at Monday's press conference

"You don't even have to accept the scientific consensus about global warming, to want Texans to drive the most fuel efficient cars on the market," Strama said. "If they're making cars that are better engineered cars and selling them in California, Texans have the right to drive those cars too."

The bill is SB 119. It only applies to new cars, model year 2012 and after.

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