Schwarzenegger's govt to sue Bush administration

SILICON VALLEY: California plans to sue the Bush administration to demand action on a long-stalled request to allow state government to limit auto emissions connected to global warming.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office said that California had waited too long for a decision from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the suit will be filed next week in a Washington, D.C., federal court.

"The most prominent Republican governor suing the Bush administration sends a powerful message, which I hope will influence Congress," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said.

In December 2005, the state asked the EPA for permission to enforce the new California vehicle emission law, which served as model for similar laws in 11 other states. California needs the EPA approval to implement the new law because it is more stringent than federal clean-air standards.

California, which leads the nation in environmental issues, sees tough vehicle emission laws as a major part of the solution to global warming.

The California Air Resources Board estimates the new law would cut exhaust emissions in cars and light trucks by 25 per cent and in larger trucks and SUVs by 18 per cent.

Under the new rules, California would require automakers to use better air conditioners, more efficient transmissions and smaller engines.

The EPA held a public hearing in May and has promised a decision by the end of the year. But California said it has run out of patience and will go to court Wednesday, the deadline that Schwarzenegger set in April.

Major environmental groups are supporting the state in defense of its law and have also served notice on the EPA.