by Star Ledger Staff and wire reports
\nJanuary 02, 2008, 5:07 PM<\/p>\n
California sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today for denying its first-in-the-nation greenhouse gas limits on cars, trucks and SUVs, challenging the Bush administration’s conclusion that states have no business setting emission standards.<\/p>\n
New Jersey joined the lawsuit and other states were expected to follow. The legal challenge was anticipated after the EPA on Dec. 19 denied California a waiver it needs under the federal Clean Air Act. The lawsuit was filed in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.<\/p>\n
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson denied California the waiver, saying new federal regulations would be more effective than a patchwork of state laws. At least 16 other states had been expected to follow California’s lead and adopt the state’s tougher emission limits.<\/p>\n
New Jersey and the other states cannot act without EPA approval.<\/p>\n
“We need the waiver enabling California’s proposed greenhouse gas emission standards for new motor vehicles, which are vital to the health and well being of New Jersey residents,” state Attorney General Anne Milgram said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n