CEQ Members Tour GM & Ford Electric Car Operations

DETROIT (WWJ) - Members of the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) had the opportunity to tour Ford and General Motors electric car operations in the Detroit-area Tuesday.

WWJ's Marie Osborne reports from GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly ... where officials got a first-hand look at Chevy Volt production.

The group had the chance to watch as technicians put batteries inside the shells of the Chevy Volt, they also had the chance to drive the Volt.

They say they are clearly impressed with the operations at both Ford and GM.

CEQ Deputy Director Gary Guzy took the opportunity to tout the President's Jobs Bill.

"The rebirth of these facilities really are what the President's program is all about  which is about innovation , investment and creating new jobs, so we wanted to come today to really learn more about them, see them and really demonstrate the significance and importance of them," said Guzy.

The groups visit is aimed at highlighting the Obama administration's fuel economy standards, the President says that creates jobs.

Nancy Sutley is the chair of CEQ  - she was impressed with the Volt's operations and the support network that makes this possible.

"We think it's a really important thing to move forward with, the help of not only companies like Ford and GM create jobs but all their suppliers, some of their tax incentives and other incentives as well as investments in infrastructure will help, I think, to keep the auto industry growing," said Sutley.