EPA decision riles governors

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley Thursday criticized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for blocking a California proposal to limit automotive emissions.

Testifying before the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, O'Malley said that the EPA's decision to reject a request by California to limit greenhouse gas emissions would stop Maryland from implementing a similar plan, The Washington Post reported.

"I find this decision ... shameful, outrageous, and irresponsible," O'Malley said. "It amounts to the EPA, in essence, saying to the states, 'How dare you make more progress'" than the federal government has made.

California sought to impose a 30 percent reduction in tailpipe emissions by 2016 from cars, trucks and SUVs, a move that would have required that automakers increase fuel efficiency to 43 mpg for passenger cars by then, RTT News reported.

Others testifying with O'Malley were Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell, a Democrat, and Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican.