California Emissions Battle Nears Climax, Other States Anxious

Under President Bush, the EPA denied California's request to let the state require cleaner cars for its residents. Upon taking office, President Obama asked his environmental team to reconsider that decision, and their decision is nearly upon us. A public hearing this Thursday will be of great interest to two governors -- Schwarzenegger of California and Granholm of Michigan . The Wall Street Journal sets up the conflict: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday she is "not sure" the Obama administration will let California regulate automobile greenhouse-gas emissions and said she believes the administration would prefer a single national standard governing the industry's fuel economy and emissions levels. The new EPA has repeatedly indicated its willingness to roll back Bush-era decisions, and administration officials such as climate-and-energy boss Carol Browner and EPA chief Lisa Jackson are proponents of letting California tighten emissions rules. EMANUEL: "DAY OF RECKONING"  ... (link)