For all of you that were waiting for the new federal fuel efficiency standards to take effect so everyone starts to drive more environmentally-friendly cars, your wait is going to be a little bit longer. Yesterday, the Bush administration (the Transportation Department, to be quite specific) announced that they would be delaying implementation of standards that will require cars and light trucks (SUVs) to be more fuel efficient due to the financial hardships faced by the auto industry.

Bloomberg.com notes that interestingly enough, “The trade association representing automakers said it didn’t want the delay.” And, as well, this setback may be a short one. As the article notes, the administration’s decision

postpones action on a 2007 agreement by Congress and President George W. Bush to raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy for the first time in three decades. That leaves it up to President-elect Barack Obama’s administration to set standards for 2011 models before a March 31 deadline.

As Obama has stated he wants stricter standards, he has plenty of time between January 20 and March 31 to make changes. Basically, this is the Bush administration saying it doesn’t want Republicans to seem too harsh on the auto industry, as “U.S. auto sales in December plunged 36 percent, leaving the industry’s 2008 sales volume at a 16-year low.” Instead, Republicans are saying, all right Democrats - if you want to look like the bad guys right now, be our guests.” We’ll see how that turns out.

You don’t have to wait, though, for the government to enact better fuel efficiency for yourself. takepart  to learn how to get better gas mileage in your car.