SACRAMENTO - Mary Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, issued the following statement about revelations from a report issued by the house of representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Representative Henry Waxman, that after communications with the White House, Administrator Johnson reversed his original decision -- supported fully by USEPA staff -- to grant California a waiver to enforce its clean car law .

"California believes EPA's denial of the waiver was completely illegal, supported by neither law nor science. In light of today's news, we call on EPA yet again to grant California, and the other 13 states that have adopted the clean car law, the right to enforce our comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars. While EPA fiddles and we burn, consumers are being denied the right to purchase cars that are cleaner and save money at the pump. The auto companies can comply beginning with 2009 model year cars-cars that are available, or will soon be available, in dealers' showrooms."