The US government on Wednesday rejected a request by California allowing it to introduce tough new vehicle emissions standards, dealing a blow to the state's hopes of slashing greenhouse gas levels over the next decade.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in a statement that after consideration of the requests by California, it had found there were no "compelling and extraordinary conditions" to grant a waiver.
The EPA instead said legislation signed by US President George W. Bush this week was a step toward a "clear national solution" toward curbing greenhouse gas emissions rather than a "confusing patchwork of state rules."
California passed legislation in 2002 requiring automakers to reduce vehicle emissions 30 percent by 2016. A total of 17 states had reportedly indicated they would adopt California's emissions levels.
However, for the law to take effect, California needed approval with a waiver from the EPA.
Analysts say the Bush administration is opposed to California's request because of fears of the effect it may have on the ailing US auto industry.
California officials responded to Wednesday's decision by vowing to press ahead with plans to sue the government.
"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," California Attorney General Jerry Brown said.
"There is absolutely no legal justification for the Bush administration to deny this request ? -- Governor Schwarzenegger and I are preparing to sue at the earliest possible moment," he said.
Schwarzenegger vowed no let-up in California's fight to set it's own standards.
"It is disappointing that the federal government is standing in our way and ignoring the will of tens of millions of people across the nation," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
"We will continue to fight this battle. California sued to compel the [EPA] to act on our waiver, and now we will sue to overturn today's decision and allow Californians to protect our environment," he said.
Although Schwarzenegger applauded the federal energy bill signed by Bush, he said it did not go far enough.
"The energy bill does not reflect a vision, beyond 2020, to address climate change, while California's vehicle greenhouse gas standards are part of a carefully designed, comprehensive program to fight climate change through 2050," he said.
Schwarzenegger has made the environment a key issue of his tenure, signing a historic bill in September last year that saw the state become the first in the US to impose limits on global warming gases.
Under the plan, California aims to slash the state's carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent by the year 2020, a figure that Schwarzenegger has said is equivalent to removing 6.5 million vehicles from the road.
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