President Obama spoke at the White House this hour on jobs, energy independence, and climate change.

More specifically, the news out of Obama's appearance included an announcement that sets in motion a chain of events that would let California and some other states tighten their auto emissions standards.

We used this post to live-blog as it happens. Click your "refresh" button to see our latest updates.

Update at 1:30 p.m. ET. USA TODAY's David Jackson leads his story about the president's actions this way:

President Obama reversed more Bush administration policies Monday, endorsing state efforts to restrict tailpipe emissions and ordering higher fuel-efficiency standards. These are "the first steps" toward "energy independence," Obama said during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House.

Update at 10:44 a.m. ET: The president is now signing a series of executive orders to implement the changes he wants made.

Update at 10:43 a.m. ET. "Will not be held hostage":

"We have made our choice," Obama says. "America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes and a warming planet. ... Now is the time to make tough choices."

Update at 10:41 a.m. ET. Emissions:

Obama confirms that he has ordered an immediate review of "the California request" to tighten auto emissions standards.

Update at 10:40 a.m. ET. Fuel efficiency:

"We must ensure that the fuel efficient cars of tomorrow are built right here," says the president. "We will start by implementing new standards for model year 2011. ... This rule will be a down payment on a broader and sustained effort to reduce or dependence on foreign oil."

Update at 10:37 a.m. ET. Energy independence:

"Year after year, decade after decade, we've chosen delay over decisive action," Obama says. "Now, America has arrived at a crossroads. ... Embedded in the American soil, wind and sun ... we have the capacity to change.



"It will be the policy of my administration to reverse our dependence on foreign oil."

Update at 10:34 a.m. ET: The president begins by noting the announcements in recent days of large job cuts at Microsoft, Intel, United Airlines, Home Depot and other major corporations.

He says "we owe it" to each of the laid-off workers, "and to every single American to act with urgency and with common purpose."

Update at 10:32 a.m. ET: Reporters just got a "two-minute warning."