US President Barack Obama said on Monday that his government will take stronger actions to promote development of fuel efficient cars and to reduce US dependence on energy sources.

"America will not be held hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet," Obama told a gathering at the White House.

"Now is the time to meet the challenge of this crossroads of history, by choosing a future safer for our country, prosperous for our planet, and sustainable," said the new president.

"Those are my priorities, and they're reflected in the executive orders I'm about to sign," he added.

Obama also ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to review its decision to reject California's request to regulate car exhaust emissions blamed for contributing to global warming.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2009)