California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced through his spokesman that California will sue the Environmental Protection Agency next week to pursue its goals to enforce state auto emissions laws. "The governor has made his intention clear. The state will take action if the EPA doesn't act on the waiver," spokesman Aaron McLear said Friday.

California wants a waiver under the U.S. Clean Air Act, which the federal regulators have given for similar air pollution controls. The waiver would allow the enforcement of emission cuts on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 30 percent between 2009 and 2016.

"It is almost two years since we asked for this waiver. The governor feels we have been patient enough. He has met with the EPA administrator and with the president on this and has sent letters to them both. We have done everything we can and now it is time for action," McLear said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made clear six months ago that if the Environmental Protection Agency does not provide the waiver before Oct. 22, the State of California will get it through a lawsuit. The EPA said earlier this month it was to make a decision on California's waiver request by the end of 2007, but apparently failed to do so within the timeframe asked by Schwarzenegger.

The law California still can't implement dates back to 2002, but because it is stricter than federal clean-air standards it needs government approval. It asked for the required waiver for the first time in December 2005.  California's tough auto emissions law is a model for similar statutes passed in 11 other states.

"We have heard nothing new to lead us to believe we will be getting our waiver," said Linda Adams, Schwarzenegger's top environmental adviser. "We are assuming we will have to file suit."

While automakers are trying to argue that reducing emissions will drive the prices of cars thousands of dollars up, that seems just an unfounded excuse. Automakers have reached similar deals in Canada, Europe and Japan, but in the United States, protected by their steadfast ally (the Bush administration) they are dragging their feet on this matter as long as they possibly can. Moreover, they reached voluntary agreements in Europe and Canada, which means the automakers are ready to adapt quickly to the respective political environment.

"Californians are demanding action now, and given the opportunity, this sentiment would translate into consumers selecting vehicles that are more environmentally sound," Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols said.