Denial of emissions waiver faces probe

Waxman told Johnson to have EPA staff preserve all records. The decision against California "appears to have ignored the evidence before the agency and the requirements of the Clean Air Act," Waxman wrote. He asked for all the relevant documents by Jan. 23.

Johnson on Wednesday denied that his decision was political, saying it was based on legal analysis of the Clean Air Act. His refusal blocks action by California and at least 16 other states - including Massachusetts - that want to adopt California's law slashing greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks by a third.

President Bush stood by the decision of his EPA administrator.

"The question is how to have an effective strategy. Is it more effective to let each state make a decision as to how to proceed in curbing greenhouse gases or is it more effective to have a national strategy," Bush said at a news conference.

Johnson said California's emissions limits weren't needed because Congress just passed energy legislation raising fuel economy standards nationwide.

Johnson's announcement provoked applause from the auto industry, but an outcry of protest from environmentalists, congressional Democrats, and officials in California and other affected states.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California immediately announced plans to fight EPA's decision in federal court.

"I am extremely disappointed by EPA's decision to block the will of millions of people in California and 16 other states who want us to take tough action against global warming," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.

"I have no doubt that we will prevail because the law, science, and the public's demand for leadership are on our side," he said.

"It is completely absurd to assert that California does not have a compelling need to fight global warming by curbing greenhouse gas emissions from cars," Attorney General Jerry Brown said. "There is absolutely no legal justification for the Bush administration to deny this request.